QR Codes helps boost mobile payments

More and more consumers are paying for things using mobile devices. This past Cyber Monday, PayPal tripled its volume of mobile payments while eBay nearly doubled its volume of mobile payments compared with last year.

QRickits are often used in facilitating mobile payments. See how Kuapay POS and mobile payment system uses QR Codes.

Kirk Anderson of Fat Uncle Farms from Kuapay on Vimeo.

Walmart QR Code Toy Store

Walmart has opened a virtual QR Code toy store in an underground walkway in Toronto, Canada. It uses the walls located in the 17-mile PATH underground walkway in Toronto which links thousands of commuters each day to public transportation, office buildings, hotels, and stores.

QR Codes are shown with popular Mattel toys on a giant 3D poster. Commuters can use their smartphones to scan the QR Codes and purchase holiday gifts from Walmart with free shipping.

There are more examples of virtual QR Code stores.

Click here to see post and video of a virtual QR Code grocery store in a Korean subway station.
Click here to see post about virtual QR Code grocery store in a Chicago subway tunnel.

How about a virtual pizza shop or Chinese restaurant on a bus stop shelter? Have it delivered hot right when you get home!

If you open or see a virtual QR Code store, let me know about it here or at QRickit.com.

Denny's + QR Code = The Hobbit

Family restaurant chain Denny's is using QR codes to deliver content for the upcoming movie "The Hobbit" as part of a promotion campaign with Warner Bros. Pictures.

On Denny's placemats there are QR Codes beside Hobbit-themed menu items.

The QR codes link to an exclusive video, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", a behind-the-scenes look at a new national TV ad, and online games.

"Our Hobbit campaign and accompanying QR codes allow us to give access to a much more robust array of content and really give our guests a new layer of the brand experience. QR codes are especially relevant in interacting with the next generation of Denny's guests, specifically the younger demographic where social media and the mobile experience is an important part of their everyday lives." said John Dillon, VP of Marketing at Denny's.

Denny's customers who purchase select Hobbit-inspired entrees will also receive a card pack including exclusive collectible trading cards designed around the film and Denny's coupons.

"QR codes are highly transactional and we saw an opportunity to use them in a very meaningful way to further connect and extend the guest experience with this new partnership...With our Hobbit campaign, we want guests to 'continue the journey' at Denny's." said Mr. Dillon.

Target QR Code

This October, at retail giant, Target, customers can scan the QR Codes displayed in-store and on the packaging of this year's 20 most popular toys to buy them directly via their smartphones (and have them shipped too if needed). This is most convenient for consumers when the popular toy item runs out of stock or if the customer is too busy or doesn't want to battle the long line ups at the checkout counter.

A senior manager of digital experience at Target says:
"...our guests are time-strapped and more connected than ever."
"One in five are using QR codes today and that number is growing rapidly."
"They [QR Codes] provide guests with flexibility and expand their shopping experience."

Vice President of Toys, Target, says:
 "Our in-store QR codes for this year's top toys will add real convenience for busy moms. Now, rather than hoping the kids won't notice when a gift is slipped into the cart, guests can scan the QR codes to buy top toys and have them shipped anywhere for free."

Virtual QR Code Store in Subway

Following the use of QRickits and wall-to-wall posters in subway statioins in Japan and Korea (see this Youtube video), US online grocery store, Peapod, has created a virtual store in the subway tunnels of Chicago

Busy commuters can now scan QRickits at subway stations to order groceries that will be delivered to their homes.

QRickit is helping create virtual storefronts for pizza and other restaurants and shops that offer delivery or pickup.

Ask QRickit if you are interested in expanding your business using this method.

FYI: In Tokyo, Japan more than 3.6 million people use the Shinjuku subway station each day!

QR Code Fashion Express

Fashion retailer, Express, is using QRickits on in-store posters and window decals to encourage shoppers to join its loyalty program.

When scanned, shoppers are directed to the Express mobile site where they can sign up for the program or to gain extra reward points. Employees are trained to help shoppers scan the QRickit with their smartphones.

Oftentimes, shoppers leave the store and forget to sign up for the program later, but by encouraging shoppers to sign up while at the store using their smartphones will help prevent such cases.

Last year Express also used QRickits in its fall catalog to promote online and offline sales of its new product lines.

1 in 5 Americans buy after scanning a QR Code

Chadwick Martin Bailey and iModerate Research Technologies  surveyed 1200 American consumers about QR Codes. This is what they found:

• About 1 in 5 who scanned a QR code made a purchase after scanning
• 81% say they’ve seen a QR code, but only 21% knew what they were called
• Half of smartphone users have scanned a QR code
• 70% of those who scanned QR codes, said it was very easy
• 41% say the information they got was useful
• Magazines and newspapers are the most common QR source for those who’ve scanned a code
• 46% of those who’ve scanned a QR code did so because they were curious

According to a senior consultant at CMB,

“There is acceptance of the technology from consumers.”
“For marketers, there is the opportunity to engage with consumers through these QR codes."

This data tells us that American consumers are ready for QR Codes but business/marketers/developers have to provide more useful information and content for consumers after they scan QR Codes.

Click here to read more info about the survey at CMB.