Which mathematical innovation fundamentally transformed retail point-of-sale systems and was first used commercially in a supermarket in 1974?

The retail industry has increasingly embraced mathematical modeling and algorithms to optimize operations and enhance customer experiences. From inventory management to pricing strategies, mathematics plays a crucial role in modern retail. This trivia question explores how a specific mathematical concept revolutionized point-of-sale systems and forever changed retail checkout experiences.

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Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode system based on binary mathematics
Markov chain algorithms for inventory prediction
Linear programming for cash register queue optimization
Bayesian probability models for receipt printing