Bar codes are boring

So are ISBN numbers.

Efficiency

Unless you need to quickly process checkouts and orders, manage sales stock, track inventory, and communicate that information to your accounting software, then bar codes and ISBN numbers are not so boring.
They're exciting. They save processing and training time. And time is money in business.

Packaging

Package designers complain that bar codes rape their designs.
Send us the packaging colors and we'll make scannable bar codes that are compatible. It's not hard. It just takes a little communication.

Publishers and Authors

Authors complain that ISBN numbers de-humanize their work. Authors mumble about Big Brother in conversations with patient Publishers. They leave it up to the Publishers to handle that sort of thing.

Retailers

Retailers know the value of scanning bar codes and ISBN numbers. It's much easier to train sales people to quickly scan than it is to train them to use keypads. There are just too many mistakes.
Taking inventory by hand is hard enough with a scanner. Inventory used to mean the store had to close for a week. Now, the business may have to close early one or two days.

Booksellers

Booksellers still have to search by title or subject at the Customer Service desk, but those books are all organised by ISBN numbers. ISBN numbers that allow them to track interest and sales while making checkout much, much faster.

Creative

Yes, there are creative uses for bar codes.
A pub or bar can have a "Bar Code Night" where they issue a stick-on bar code instead of just a messy stamp. Customers may be asked to register, which may allow the bar to let them know of other upcoming events. And the bar code sticker stays with the customer as a souvenier of a great time.
Some innovative events offer a t-shirt printed with a bar code. Yes, it's scannable. Just stand back a bit.

Maybe bar codes and ISBN numbers aren't so boring after all.