December 30, 2023
With an increasing thirst to drive customer engagement, optimise efficiency, and deliver a better customer experience, brands and retailers are always keeping an eye on the next tool they can use to create memorable and efficient experiences.
An increasingly popular and powerful tool to unlock these new opportunities is QR codes. First envisioned as a way to quickly access information, QR codes in retail are the new digital ammo. By bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds, retailers are discovering new and exciting ways to engage with consumers and drive new revenue streams.
Consumers today expect to do more than just browse. In a store, QR codes can deliver additional information almost immediately. Consumers use their phones to scan the QR code, access a size guide, learn more about the materials, or get application instructions. This can serve to take pressure off store employees who are less busy answering basic questions and helps shoppers make faster purchasing decisions.
QR codes are also beginning to be used for auto checkout. By adding a QR code at the self-checkout, customers can easily scan and purchase products from their phone and simply walk out.
The customer journey is no longer exclusively one of brick or one of click. These days, customers use both online and in-store channels to shop, and QR codes are the tool to bring these channels closer together.
Retailers can also use QR codes on receipts and on packaging to direct customers back to their site. In this case, the purpose of the QR code could be to drive the customer to inquire about the product they bought online. This could create a more loyal customer base and help drive repeated purchases.
Retail marketing is all about engagement. QR codes give marketers tools to help them make their campaigns more exciting and more measurable. Whether placed on posters, product packaging, or the bags the purchases go in, marketers can encourage customers to engage and provide tangible results in return. For example, if a customer scans a QR code, they may be sent to a page that offers them a discount, asks them to sign up for a special promotion, or displays recommended products.
QR codes are green. QR codes are a contemporary way of promoting your promotional material in the store. Instead of printing out an extensive hard copy of a product guide, you can slot a QR code into the digital copy. These materials are very resource-intensive to print out. You can reduce and basically eliminate the use of any paper in the unit in your firm, and in doing so, set yourself as a forward-thinking organisation.
Retail is always on the move, and QR codes are at the centre of the change. They help improve the in-store journey, link the route between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar buying places, create an opportunity for better and more engaging marketing promotional campaigns, and most importantly of all, enable your firm to go as unconscionably green as it possibly can get, saving the environment all the trouble it is already put into.
QR codes give customers instant access to detailed product information, like size charts, materials, or user guides, directly on their phones. This helps them make informed decisions faster and can also be used to streamline the checkout process.
Absolutely. They are a perfect tool for creating a seamless omnichannel experience. A QR code on a shopping bag or receipt can lead a customer to your website to leave a review, sign up for a newsletter, or view related products, strengthening the connection between your physical and digital presence.
They make marketing campaigns more engaging and trackable. You can link a QR code to a special offer, a competition entry, or exclusive content. This not only excites customers but also provides valuable data on how well your campaigns are performing.
Yes, they are. By shifting information from printed paper to digital formats accessed via QR codes, businesses can drastically cut down on paper consumption and printing costs, positioning themselves as a more sustainable brand.
Starting with a clear goal is key. Whether it's for marketing, information sharing, or payments, having a strategy is crucial. Services like those offered by Robinwaite can help businesses integrate QR codes into their operations to maximise customer engagement and efficiency.
