Companies are discovering that their customers are enjoying an enriched experience through barcode scans.
The black and white squares that make up QR codes have been called everything from ugly to funky and from vital to useless, but if there is one thing for certain, data is consistently revealing that consumers are scanning on an increasing basis.
Retailers are finding that when they apply the barcodes properly, it can enhance the experience they provide.
This is because the retailers can take advantage of the fact that consumers are now recognizing QR codes for what they are at a growing rate, and are using them to obtain discounts and coupons, to learn more about products, and to gain access to store sites so that they can find the nearest location.
Larger retailers are using QR codes for even more creative reasons, helping to save time in-store.
Julie Ask, from Forrester Research, who is also the principal analyst and vice president of that firm, has explained that a growing number of storefronts are applying QR codes to their displays. She explained that “Some – like national department stores – offer more sophisticated campaigns like new arrivals and seasonal promotions.” She added that “More often than not for smaller organizations, they offer store hours, menu, Facebook “likes” and check ins – easier options.”
As of June, it was estimated by the Internet & American Life Project’s Pew Research Center that about 56 percent of American adults now own smartphones. As penetration of these devices continues to rise, so does the use of QR codes for various purposes, simply because a larger proportion of the population has the technology required to use them.
A Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor survey pointed out that about 44 percent of shoppers have revealed that they use their smartphones and mobile devices for shopping purposes, such as browsing and gaining product information. QR codes can help to make that process much easier and more convenient by making it possible to scan the barcodes on advertising, displays in-store or in eye catching retailer windows. This makes it possible for them to learn more about a product – or even buy it online – as they take the train home as a part of their commute, walk down the street, or even decide to avoid a lineup while inside the store itself.
