Better shopper experience and loyalty with QR codes
A casual glance at the soft drink bottle or a can of juice running a loyalty program shows that the whole process and experience of earning loyalty rewards is antiquated. Imagine the number of people who will actually note down the website address and the rewards code, login to the website, register and enter the code to win rewards or loyalty points. The conversion rate must be abysmally low also leading to erosion of brand affinity. What if you could effectively bridge the gap with a simple bar code?
QR codes are the answer. With a smart phone and a QR code reader, consumers can scan the code from an ad, a catalog or the product packaging and get automatically redirected to the website or send an SMS with their entry.
CPG firms and retailers can embed QR codes in catalogs, print ads and product packaging to enable physical world hyperlinks and mobile tagging to drive up sales. A few applications of QR codes that I'm already seeing in the wild:
Shopping:
1. QR codes on products which you browse in stores and you use it for online research for comparison with other products
2. Geocoded QR tags for quicker mapping and store locations
3. Google's Favorite places campaign already has QR code decals in the windows of local businesses that link back to their online websites
4. QR codes on product packaging to enable product replenishment by customers through QR code scans
Loyalty:
1. QR codes for rewards (like the code on a bottle which currently has to be entered by logging into a website could potentially be scanned by your smart phone and it instantly takes you to the rewards website)
2. Wine bottles (social wine discovery site) now have QR codes which link you to a website with all information about the wine.
3. Store loyalty cards as QR codes
Coupons & Promotions:
1. QR codes for coupons on catalogs and print ads
2. Create buzz around new product promotions
Other areas:
1. QR codes in the supply chain to bring in efficiencies (Supply Chain)
2. QR codes to drive traffic to a business' Facebook page to increase customer engagement (Social Media engagement)
