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Blockchain in retail: use cases, adoption roadmap & real-life examples
Blockchain in retail is the application of a decentralized ledger technology to enable secure and
transparent transaction processing, product tracking, and supply chain monitoring, helping increase the
visibility of operations, optimize business processes, and improve consumer and partner trust.
Itransition offers end-to-end blockchain services to help companies integrate
the blockchain technology into their workflows to enhance their transparency, security, and efficiency as well as
improve customer experience and unlock new revenue opportunities.
Blockchain in retail: the market state
$62.6
bn
the expected size of the blockchain in retail global market by 2029
The Business Research Company
$34.3
bn
the projected size of the US blockchain in retail market by 2035
Market Research Future
Use cases of blockchain in retail
Blockchain technology has found multiple applications in the retail industry over the last few years,
introducing advancements in the ways companies build consumer trust, improve operational efficiency, and
optimize customer journeys.
Product provenance tracking
Conventional methods of tracking product provenance, like barcodes, spreadsheets, or databases, are
susceptible to tampering and fraud due to their high reliance on trust and manual oversight.
Blockchain-based provenance tracking, by contrast, is decentralized and tamper-proof, enabling transparent
and highly accurate overview of goods' entire lifecycle, from their sourcing to purchase.
As
goods move through the supply chain, all data regarding their origin, location changes, and other movements
is recorded on the blockchain as timestamped blocks in chronological order. This creates an immutable ledger
of the product lifecycle which serves as a single source of truth for authorized members. In permissioned
blockchain networks, suppliers, manufacturers, or distributors are granted role-based access to the ledger,
which allows them to see only the information relevant to them. Each blockchain network participant has a
private cryptographic key used to digitally sign transactions when recording new item-related events, which
guarantees that all data entries are authentic.
Counterfeiting prevention
In the retail industry, counterfeiting has an especially negative impact on companies, leading to product
recalls, brand reputation damage, a decrease in consumer trust, and, ultimately, significant monetary
losses.
Blockchain systems can help combat counterfeiting by storing products’ proof-of-origin
information in an immutable ledger and providing retailers and customers with visibility into its entire
supply chain, from the extraction of raw materials to the shipment of a product to the end-consumer.
Blockchain systems can also be used to register ownership of valuable goods and prevent its counterfeiting.
Food safety monitoring
From grocery stores to global food chains, businesses strive to prevent losses from spoiled produce while
ensuring food safety for their customers. Implementing an IoT and blockchain-based system, retailers can
automate food condition monitoring and ensure compliance with relevant food safety regulations.
IoT sensors installed across warehouses and means of transportation can collect environmental data such as
temperature and humidity throughout the entire product journey and upload it to the blockchain network
available to all authorized participants. If food gets contaminated or spoiled, this data helps accurately
identify the stage of the supply chain where the issue occurred and which environmental conditions caused
it. Thus, retailers can instantly detect product quality loss, locate its origin, more accurately predict
spoilage, and implement preventive actions to avoid future incidents.
Regulatory bodies, such as
the FDA, also recognize blockchain’s potential for food safety monitoring, encouraging the exploration and
adoption of blockchain-enabled food traceability and safety monitoring systems.
Tokenized loyalty rewards management
According to research by Growth Market Reports, the size of the tokenized loyalty point market will reach
$43.1 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 22.1% from 2025 to 2033. Retailers are specifically increasingly
implementing tokenized loyalty points to create a more flexible, secure, and tradable rewards ecosystem.
Moreover, tokenized reward programs allow customers to resell their rewards on a secondary market, which
increases the value of the loyalty program, as the rewards do not remain unclaimed. Each transaction and
modification of tokenized loyalty points is recorded and visible to all authorized participants of the
loyalty networks, which makes loyalty rewards fully traceable and almost impossible to fake.
Blockchain technology can also support the creation of a decentralized multi-retailer loyalty program
network, which would help retail companies gain access to a larger customer base. Consumers, in turn, would
be able to redeem loyalty rewards from multiple brands and across retail segments, using a single e-wallet
instead of managing multiple digital accounts and physical customer loyalty cards.
NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are unique digital assets verified on blockchain. They prove ownership or
authenticity of real-world products or digital content, and each NFT is immutable. With NFTs, retail
companies can offer customers digital collectibles that they can earn, buy, or trade. These digital assets
can also grant customers access to VIP events and exclusive rewards, unlock immersive AR content and
gamified experiences, and provide entry to limited-time deals, creating unique value beyond traditional
loyalty programs.
NFTs also enable retailers to form communities around token ownership, opening
new possibilities for customer interactions and brand communication. Within an NFT community, customers can
trade tokens and engage in discussions with each other. At the same time, the brand can also participate by
announcing new NFT-powered activities or contributing to discussions about NFT releases. Such communities
ultimately strengthen customers' connection with brands and allow retailers to gather insights on their
audience.
Smart contracts for supplier agreements
Smart contracts are self-executing digital agreements stored on a blockchain that are triggered
automatically when predefined real-life actions are executed or conditions are met. In retail, they can be
used to trigger the execution of agreed terms based on pricing policies, delivery schedules, and quality
standards without manual intervention of involved or third parties, minimizing disputes. Smart contracts can
also facilitate secure management of payments and refunds, improving customer satisfaction and reducing
operational costs.
Streamlining global transactions
Blockchain systems facilitate fast, secure, and low-cost cross-border transactions between retailers and
suppliers or partners, eliminating intermediaries and currency conversion fees and ensuring transaction
transparency due to immutable records.
Traditional cross-border wire transfers often take 3-5
business days in certain markets, while blockchain-based payments settle in just a few minutes thanks to
near-direct processing between the payer and the recipient. Blockchain-based systems also guarantee better
payment control by removing uncertainty often caused by correspondent banks delays in confirming transaction
status and ensuring that transactions can be tracked in real time.
Enhance your retail operations’ efficiency with blockchain-powered solutions
While the blockchain implementation process is typically universal across industries, retail companies need to
pay attention to their sector-specific goals and constraints when adopting these solutions.
1
Discovery
Assess your business needs and identify your blockchain solution requirements
Specify the desired outcomes of blockchain implementation
Conceptualize the blockchain solution and define workflows where it will be applied
2
Design
Elaborate the development plan
Define the blockchain system’s architecture and design its UI/UX
Choose blockchain type (public/private/consortium) and the solution’s tech stack
3
Development
Build a pilot prototype of the solution and refine it if needed
Develop front-end and back-end components and perform end-to-end testing
Deploy the system across all targeted retail operations and channels
Perform retail data migration and validation
Conduct staff training to ensure smooth user adoption
5
Maintenance
Monitor the solution’s performance and scalability
Apply software updates and security patches
Expand the system by adding modifications and customizations
Benefits of blockchain in the retail sector
Implementing blockchain technology helps companies in the retail sector enhance efficiency across various
business processes and ensure operational transparency for authorized blockchain network members.
1Supply chain transparency
The distributed ledger serves as a single source of truth for all retail supply chain participants and
enables product security and traceability.
2Improved data security & reduced risk of fraud
Transactions in blockchain-based systems cannot be altered or deleted and are time- and date- stamped, which
enables complete visibility for authorized members and minimizes risks of fraud or counterfeit.
3Optimized inventory management
Blockchain-powered real-time inventory management helps retailers maintain optimal inventory levels, avoid
overstock or stockouts, and ensure faster order fulfillment by enabling transparency and real-time
information updates.
4Streamlined transactions
Blockchain’s decentralized nature allows retail businesses to stop relying on financial intermediaries for
handling payments, which helps cut fees and speed up transactions.
5Increased customer loyalty & engagement
Blockchain ensures accurate product origin and journey data, which builds consumer trust, while transparent
loyalty programs and NFT-based systems for customer experiences also strengthen customer relationships.
6Better decision-making
Using verified data from blockchain-based systems gives retailers the confidence to make accurate forecasts,
plan effectively, and make smarter strategic decisions.
How leading retailers use blockchain today
Blockchain has been gaining traction among retail companies, leading to many use cases successfully put into
practice. Here are the case studies of retailers that have applied blockchain technology to streamline their
various workflows.
De Beers Group is one of the world’s biggest diamond retailers. Since 2018, the company has been testing its
proprietary permissioned blockchain-based platform Tracr for proving the authenticity of both end-products
and source materials, and the platform was launched at scale in 2022. Currently, nearly 3 million diamonds
have been registered on Tracr. Starting from 2025, the platform provides purchasers of natural diamonds with
country-of-origin data for rough diamonds over 1 carat (about 0.5 carats polished), matching the G7 import
size threshold. To reliably trace a diamond’s journey through the supply chain, Tracr employs Distributed
Ledger Technology (DLT) to store unique digital IDs of each diamond. This ID includes information about the
diamond’s origin, characteristics, and ownership history. Tracr applies AI and ML to collect the diamond’s
characteristics, such as carat, cut, color, and clarity, and provenance information and then creates an
immutable record that stores authenticity and provenance details accessible to stakeholders in the diamond
supply chain.
In 2025, the company officially launched ORIGIN De Beers Group, a new program that
extends traceability beyond supply chain to retail: the polished diamonds by De Beers Group are now
available not only online but also in retail partner stores across the US and Canada. The company's retail
partners can have access to diamonds' provenance data to share stories with consumers about the unique
journey of each diamond. Each ORIGIN branded diamond above 0.3 carats is traceable on the Tracr platform,
containing information about each diamond’s journey, from mines to cutting and polishing, along with ethical
sourcing assurance and social impact stories underlining how De Beers contributed to communities and nature
in diamond-producing countries. Thus, buyers not only get proof of authenticity but also insight into the
positive contributions behind their purchase.
In partnership with Hyperledger, American Express developed a blockchain-based system that lets retailers
create custom Membership Rewards programs for cardholders and tie reward points to their own products
however they choose. The technology of Hyperledger, a set of open-source frameworks and tools used to build
blockchain-based products, enables joining and setting up custom Membership Rewards programs within weeks
instead of the months it would take using conventional API integrations.
In 2025, American
Express launched Amex Passport, a new blockchain-based initiative for documenting travel experiences. Amex
Passport enables American Express cardholders to collect customizable digital travel stamps, Ethereum-based
NFTs that do not contain personal data and are stored on a public blockchain, to commemorate trips. Travel
stamps are automatically earned when clients use their American Express Consumer Cards in new countries or
regions and can be shared on social media or sent through messengers. American Express cardholders can also
explore an interactive map to view their trip history and add notes with travel memories to their stamps.
In 2021, LVMH, Prada Group and Cartier, a part of the Richemont company, formed a partnership to create the
Aura Blockchain Consortium, the world’s first non-profit global luxury blockchain. After 6 months, OTB, an
international fashion group, became the fourth founding member.
The Aura Blockchain Consortium
aims to advance the adoption of blockchain solutions worldwide across the luxury industry. Aura covers
product traceability by assigning a unique digital identity, a “digital passport”, to each luxury item. The
digital passport records the product’s journey from its creation and contains information on the origin of
its raw materials. Data is immutably recorded on the blockchain, which helps retailers combat counterfeiting
while providing consumers with verification of the product's authenticity. Digital passports are connected
to physical products through NFC chips or QR codes, so consumers can access authenticity and provenance
information. Aura's passports also simplify resale, increasing trust in the secondary market.
In
2024, Aura exceeded 50 million luxury products registered on its blockchain and 50 brands as consortium
members. As for 2025, Aura is a multi-industry blockchain solution for luxury goods, with the consortium
including automotive brands like Mercedes and Brabus, a high-end furniture and home decor company, Savio
Firmino, a watch and jewelry brand, Chopard, and perfume house Amouage.
Each year, Walmart Canada handles over 500,000 shipments with 70 carriers, and every invoice requires
gathering and entering 200+ data points, which previously caused a 70% error rate due to the incompatibility
between their enterprise systems and the systems of suppliers and vendors. To overcome this, Walmart
partnered with DLT Labs and launched DL Freight, a permissioned blockchain network that serves as a single
source of truth. Since going live in 2021, invoice disputes have dropped to about 1%, 70 times less than
before.
Walmart also continues to expand its use of blockchain for food safety by using the IBM
Food Trust platform. It allows Walmart to trace products back to their source in 2.2 seconds, compared to
around 7 days using legacy systems. Walmart has mandated blockchain-based traceability for high-risk
categories such as leafy greens and cheeses to optimize food provenance tracking and reduce waste.
Carrefour has been a member of IBM Food Trust since 2018, continuously expanding the range of goods recorded
on the blockchain. The following year, Carrefour enabled blockchain-based tracking for 20 product types,
enabling customers to scan a QR code for origin details, such as producer, harvest date, location of
cultivation, and package date. As a result, tracked items recorded higher sales in the first year after the
release. Additionally, the company expanded the use of blockchain in retail to trace exclusive textile
products.
Over the years, Carrefour has become the first retailer to use blockchain with its own
branded organic products. Now the whole range of Carrefour Bio products is traced by blockchain, allowing
consumers to be more confident in their purchasing decisions.
Itransition’s experts provide end-to-end consulting services to help you adopt blockchain technology with
maximum value, depending on your business objectives and needs.
Blockchain development
Itransition’s team implements your blockchain development project end-to-end, whether you require a
standalone blockchain solution or need to integrate blockchain components into existing business systems.
Implementing blockchain for retail success
Blockchain is an advanced technology that can be applied to various non-trivial retail tasks, whether it’s
improving consumer trust and loyalty, automating supply chain tracking, diversifying loyalty programs, or
preventing product counterfeiting. With blockchain now widely considered a proven solution rather than a passing
trend, retail companies have a real opportunity to streamline their business-critical functions.
However, implementing blockchain solutions is a complex process that demands careful planning and deep technical
expertise. To ensure a smooth blockchain-based system development, you can partner with an experienced IT
services provider to help you with every critical aspect of the implementation journey.
Looking for a trusted blockchain implementation partner?
Blockchain technology can improve business process traceability and transaction transparency, ensure
secure data sharing and operational efficiency, and boost digital transformation across multiple
industries beyond the retail sector. Here are the most prominent blockchain use cases from each sector:
Blockchain for healthcare
patient record storage, drug traceability, clinical trial and research result management.
Blockchain for finance
transaction processing in payment systems, digital identity management, credit and risk scoring, P2P lending.
Blockchain for education
diploma validation, research provenance, decentralized academic records.
Blockchain for ecommerce
product ownership record and tracking, returns and refunds automation.
Blockchain for manufacturing
inventory management, equipment maintenance and asset lifecycle management, material provenance tracking.
Smart contracts follow the “if–then” logic: if a predefined event, written into the smart contract code,
occurs, then the execution of a specified action is triggered automatically. For example, if there’s an
agreement between a supplier and a retailer, once the system receives the information that the supplier’s
shipment has been delivered, the contract execution is automatically triggered in line with agreed terms.
This way, smart contracts help eliminate the need for a third party to verify that the event happened, which
makes transactions faster and agreements more transparent.
There are four types of blockchain networks:
Public is a network that anyone can join, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Polkadot blockchain platforms.
Private networks are accessible to the selected group of individuals, typically within an organization.
Consortium combines elements of private and public networks, and can be controlled by multiple
organizations.
Permissioned blockchains restrict participation, so users require permission or an invitation to join
the network. They are typically private, although public blockchains can also be permissioned.
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