Tag: qr code technology

ScanLife sees increase in QR code performance on Black Friday

| November 28, 2012

 

QR Code Black FridayScanLife  reports on the performance of QR codes

ScanLife, a leading mobile engagement platform, has released a new report concerning the performance of QR codes during this year’s Black Friday. Black Friday was heralded as a monumental day for mobile commerce and the day itself did not disappoint. Several retailers have reported positive gains in the wake of Black Friday, largely due to the various mobile commerce ventures they had in place for the holiday season. Though QR codes are not often linked with mobile commerce, ScanLife notes that the codes saw a great deal of positive attention on Black Friday.

Codes beginning to break away from marketing

QR codes are most often used in mobile marketing as a way to engage mobile consumers. The codes are proficient in this task, though relatively rarely used by actual consumers. Recently, QR codes have been growing in prominence in the mobile commerce space, where they are being used to provide information concerning particular products or link to an e-commerce site. Typically, the codes receive modest attention from shoppers, but were able to attract a lot of use on Black Friday.

ScanLife sees 50% increase in QR code engagement

According to ScanLife, mobile barcode scans rose over 50% higher than the daily average on Black Friday. ScanLife itself processed more than 250,000 unique scans during the shopping day, with 75% of all scans coming from QR codes rather than any other barcode. The consumer electronics and retail industries saw the most traffic through QR codes during Black Friday.

Codes could become a staple in mobile commerce

Though QR codes are often criticized for the poor engagement statistics, they served a vital role during the holiday shopping weekend. The codes helped make mobile commerce a success during Thanksgiving day and Black Friday. The performance of the codes may help encourage retailers to make use of them to further mobile commerce and shopping initiatives. The codes could also be used in virtual “pop-up” stores, where they can be scanned by consumers to purchase products.

QR codes unfamiliar to Australian consumers

| November 19, 2012

 

Australian consumers still widely unfamiliar with QR codes

QR codes continue to be a hot topqr codes Australiaic in marketing and have even begun to generate some hype around their use in mobile commerce. Despite the fact that the codes have become widely used, however, many consumers are still unfamiliar with the barcodes. This is especially true in Australia, where Econsultancy, a market research publisher, and Toluna, a survey and market research firm, have found that the majority of consumers do not know what QR codes are.

Codes still obscure despite their age

QR codes are not new technology. The codes emerged in the early 1990’s in the auto industry of Japan, developed by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota. Denso Wave used the codes to keep track of inventory. The codes eventually found their way into the hands of advertisers, who were able to leverage their striking appearance and ability to distribute information quickly to engage consumers. Over a short period of time, QR codes became rampantly popular in Japan, and are still so today. Outside of Japan, however, the codes have had more trouble finding traction with consumers.

Survey shows many consumers are unfamiliar, but also that many are well aware of QR codes

According to the survey from Econsultancy, 62% of Australian consumers do not know what a QR code is, let alone what the barcodes are meant to do. The survey does show, however, that approximately 51% of consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 recognize the codes and know how to use them, with another 51% of these consumers having used a code within the last three months. The problem seems to be awareness, as many of the companies that use QR codes either for mobile commerce or marketing do not take the time to educate consumers on what the codes actually are.

Codes picking up momentum in mobile commerce

QR codes are becoming more popular in the realm of mobile commerce, especially in terms of so called “pop-up,” or virtual stores. These stores can be located anywhere and take up little room. Instead of physical products, these stores feature pictures of products they sell, with a QR code attached. When the codes are scanned, consumers can purchase the product associated with a QR code through a mobile website. UK retailer Tesco has done this in the past, as well as other retailers throughout the world.