QR code examples: 20 brands redefining QR code marketing!
QR codes offer a wide array of solutions to brands and industries as they look to bridge physical and digital media to their consumers. That is why it’s interesting to see how these brands utilized this tech tool through these QR code examples.
As the number of smartphone users surges worldwide, the digital consumer experience is becoming a new trend nowadays.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the need to digitally engage consumers and communicate with them, is accelerating the adoption of digital innovations like QR codes.
Apparel brands, hotels, and car brands used QR code to offer digital experiences to its customers. Even the gaming industry and organizations are taking advantage of the QR code technology for better marketing strategies and advertising efforts.
In this article, let’s get to know the QR code examples from brands and industries for their marketing, advertising, and even product authentication efforts.
Related: What is a QR code and how does it work? The Beginner’s Ultimate Guide!
QR code examples from 20 brands
1. CyGames and Bilibili
The gaming company Cygames and a video-streaming company Bilibili launched a light show to celebrate a milestone by flying 1,500 drones that formed a giant QR code over the sky of Shanghai.
Once the QR code is scanned, a website will display which allows users to download the game easily.
The said light show event is for the anniversary of the China release of the Japanese role-playing game Princess Connect! Re: Dive. It looks like a billboard ad in the air!
Related: Huge QR code fly over the sky of Shanghai — QR code drone marketing Shanghai
2. Kanye West Drops Long-Awaited Yeezy Gap Collection along with QR codes
New collaboration between Kanye West and Gap, their advertisements were purely a picture of the single clothing item and a QR code.
The jacket went live online the same time QR codes were displayed in big cities like Chicago and Los Angeles.
3. A QR code example in retail: Victoria’s Secret
The well-known lingerie, clothing, and beauty retailer creatively used QR code in retail for their sex appeal advertising.
Victoria Secret launched a “Sexier than Skin” campaign that uses QR code. It is displayed along with a model in a billboard ad.
The QR code, when scanned, led to the brand’s lingerie collection.
4. The R Collective
A new denim collection of The R Collective, a Hongkong upcycled apparel company and supported by Levi’s, gives jeans a digital identity using QR codes.
The denim collection is accompanied by a scannable QR code that led to a website. It is printed as a garment label that offers four uses.
The website contains tips about sustainable product care after purchase, supply chain information, less energy-intensive washing, and drying tips.
It also contains information about restyling tips to prolong the life of the clothes as well as advice on recycling the garment at the end of its life.
5. Gabriela Hearst
Another brand known for luxury women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and accessories collection advances clothing transparency using QR codes.
Gabriela Hearst’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection, named “The Garment Journey” showcased a digital identity that stores information about each garment for customers, resellers, new owners, and recyclers.
The QR code, printed on the product label of each garment embeds information about the garment.
Customers will know various information like the materials used, country of origin, and production process. Moreover, they will know the carbon footprint of each garment and the narrative behind the design.
6. L’Oreal using QR code campaign
L’Oreal has a stellar promotion with their Virtual Try-on campaign that allows customers to scan a QR code and find a perfect shade.
Customers are taken directly to the tool after scanning the QR code. They can try different shades of lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, liner, and even brow products.
This allows customers to virtually try on hundreds of L’Oreal Paris beauty products online in real-time.
They will also know how they would look like with the makeup on through the photo-realistic color simulation.
7. PUMA
Sportswear brand PUMA uses QR codes in their new New York flagship store to offer a unique brand story to their customers.
At the store entrance, store visitors can scan a QR code on the display sign with their smartphone. The QR code triggers an Augmented Reality (AR) experience featuring the PUMA mascot, allowing customers to take a selfie with the mascot.
Inside the store, visitors can see QR codes displayed in every PUMA product item.
Once scanned, it will redirect the customer to the item’s product detail page on the PUMA e-commerce site.
They can take a deep dive into the product item’s story and/or purchase online.
Related: How to make a QR code for a Website in 7 steps
8. Ralph Lauren Corporation
An iconic luxury brand, Ralph Lauren gives consumers the power to authenticate Polo products themselves- simply and immediately using QR codes printed next to the product label.
The initiative aims to combat counterfeits, grey market items, and trademark infringement that can confuse the market. It reassures consumers that they have purchased an authentic Polo product.
Aside from authentication, consumers who scan the QR code can access additional product details and styling recommendations.
It also allows consumers to track products from the point of manufacture and improve inventory management.
9. 1017 Alyx 9Sm
1017 Alyx 9Sm, a fashion brand known for its luxe streetwear engaged with its customers digitally using QR codes.
Alyx product hangtags featured a scannable QR code that showcases the entire supply chain history of the piece it’s attached to.
That includes when and where the raw materials were sourced, where the garment was manufactured, and its shipping record.
This smart initiative is not for customer engagement only but also to grow customer lifetime value.
10. Hilton Omaha
Of course, let’s not forget to highlight one of the QR code examples of Hillton Omaha where they created QR code menus.
To maintain contactless service, the QR codes were placed in each guest room of the hotel.
The menu QR code redirects customers to a mobile-friendly digital menu for easy access.
Guests have an option for bar-side pick-up or door delivery, depending on the level of person-to-person interaction they are comfortable with.
At the hotel’s lobby bar, QR table tents allow guests to order takeout or classic tableside dining. Isn’t it amazing how QR code offers safer yet convenient dining experience?
Related: QR code menu: The future of restaurants in the new normal
11. Wendy’s
In 2019, Wendy’s, a fast-food burger chain, rolled out free food to customers as part of the 50th birthday of the company through the use of QR codes.
The customers will just download Wendy’s app on their phones and use the scanner feature within the app. Wendy’s bags and cups have a scannable “Sip & Scan” icon or QR code that will unlock the free food offers.
With this digital innovation, Wendy’s increased their app download rate and sales!
12. Mercedes Benz
German automaker Mercedes-Benz incorporated scannable QR codes to help save lives.
The QR code, when scanned will redirect users to a file copy of the car’s schematics.
This will guide emergency responders to safely see how to save injured occupants in the event of a crash.
Related: File to QR code: How to use a File QR code converter
13. Burberry
Burberry, a British luxury fashion house attracts young and tech-savvy shoppers by displaying QR codes in its store windows as it opens its social retail store in China’s tech-hub, Shenzhen.
All the items are labeled with QR codes and once scanned, it will unlock additional content. The codes are printed on product swing tags, making the first Burberry store to do it.
Shoppers who scanned the code can also find the latest collections, seasonal products, and exclusive items that are sold in the store.
14. QR code campaign example: Bond №9
Bond №9, an artisanal perfumery and retailer launched a QR-code-enabled strategy to drive sales for its latest scent. The company primarily target smartphone carrying shoppers to purchase the perfume and experience a “digital scent”.
The QR code is displayed on the perfume bottle, print ads, and on the brand’s Bondmobile.
When a customer scans the QR code, a website appears where one can purchase the perfume.
This is definitely one of the creative QR code examples to increase sales!
15. Diageo
Diageo introduced a bottle of Single Malt Scotch whisky with the “Message in a Bottle” campaign in time with Father’s Day using QR code.
The buyers recorded and uploaded their personalized video messages for their fathers using the web app.
The QR code is printed on the gift label of the bottle. Once scanned, the recipient can see the video of the personal message.
The said campaign is a novel way to celebrate unforgettable occasions with family and friends. The use of a QR code transforms the whiskey into a unique, personalized gift rather than just any other bottle.
16. Nestle
Nestle and Google teamed up to engage consumers when they take a break using the KitKat QR code.
The KitKat QR code is printed on the chocolate bar’s packaging. When scanned, it will redirect consumers to YouTube videos.
With the use of QR codes, the said campaign connects the consumers to the digital world — a great way to take a break.
17. Heinz
To promote a new environment-friendly packaging, Heinz put QR codes on ketchup bottles. The campaign “Join the Growing Movement” calls consumers to help conserve nature’s resources using QR code as a mobile marketing element.
The code, when scanned using smartphones redirects users to an app. On the app, users can learn to be more environmentally responsible by choosing an activity such as recycling more from a drop-down list or creating their own.
Related: How to use App store QR code generator
18. Porsche
German automaker, Porsche made a revolutionary digital move using QR code.
Their decades-old logo or crest is now replaced with a QR code in time with the release of their electric Porsche Taycan.
The company named it the QREST which connects the brand to the new generation of tech-savvy consumers. It puts Porsche owners in a unique position where people can come over to their car and scan the QR code to see where it leads.
19. Emart using QR code in ads
Emart, a shopping center in South Korea implemented a brilliant sales promotion during lunchtime using QR code. This is a good example of how to use QR codes in ads.
They displayed a large QR code with shadows outside the building and made use of the mid-day sun to create it.
What a creative way to attract customers during lunch hour downtime!
With the use of this QR code shadow; Emart gained a significant 25 percent increase in its lunch sales and a lot of media coverage too.
20. Klarna’s fashion show
Klarna, buy now, pay later (BNPL) service in Australia hosted a ‘censored runway’ where models wearing bathrobes walked while holding QR codes.
When the QR codes were scanned via the Klarna app, it will ‘reveal’ the outfit.
Should you use QR code in this digital era? Absolutely yes, and here’s why
QR codes have massively spread and reached almost all industries because of their easy to comprehend functionality and large storage capacity.
As illustrated from the above QR code examples and use cases, QR code is instrumental in every brand’s success.
It is used in assisting brands and industries to build brand awareness, drive brand affinity, and even extend promotions to customers.
From offline to online marketing, you can bridge your strategies using QR codes.
Create your QR codes for your marketing or advertising efforts now with the best QR code generator online!
