Botescope Blog Post.2: QR Codes?!
QR Codes? Yes;

Finally living up to years of hype, QR codes are becoming central to mobile marketing strategies.
That’s according to fresh estimates from Juniper Research, which predicts that the number of QR coupons redeemed via mobile will reach 5.3 billion by 2022.
By contrast, coded coupons redeemed via mobile in 2017 approached about 1.3 billion, by Juniper’s count.
What’s more, Juniper forecasts that over 1 billion mobile devices will access coupons through QR codes by 2022.
The surge is being driven by in-built QR functionality on smartphones. In particular, Apple recently decided to include QR reader-functionality as part of the camera application on new iPhones.
Printing static QR codes is becoming a huge trend; Research author Lauren Foye stated in Juniper’s press release announcing the research, “Apple’s addition of QR code reading facilities directly addresses a major barrier for use in Western markets. The lack of an in-built reader had been a hindrance, with consumers needing to download a separate QR code scanner app.”
According to Juniper, retailers are in the right place at the right time to take advantage of the surging QR code market and increasingly receptive user base. For example, Target, Walmart and others were part of a recent in-store, QR code-driven augmented reality treasure hunt promotion tied into “The Last Jedi.” Starbucks has had success with QR code-based promotions as well, and some retailers, including Target, also have QR code-based payments systems that accelerate payment at checkout.
Meanwhile, Juniper expects mobile-enabled loyalty cards to double from 2 billion in 2017 to nearly 4 billion by 2022.
This growth will be driven by what Foye and her team call the digitalization of offers, alongside newer, innovative technologies being applied by brands, creative agencies & retailers.
At Botescope we believe QR codes have the potential to serve a much greater benefit than merely opening a website’s homepage. QR codes have the potential to connect smartphones to an entirely new, creative marketing medium.
With a quick scan of QR code we open up a direct, interactive, conversation between Brand and consumer. These engaging conversations can serve precise goals; Marketing rewards, polls, immediate information, education, Location information, loyalty, payments, and much more.

Not only can a brand or agency collect valuable feedback from the personalised conversation with the consumer on the street, they can also create an entirely new and immersive advertisement on commercial screens as you can see in this short video.

QR codes may not be the most attractive label to look at but they can be a very efficient way to create innovative marketing experiences.
For retailers who gave up on QR codes once, it may be time to revisit them.