What is a QR code and how QR codes can be used?

posted by Paul - 09:56 07/07/11

QR Codes; these small things have swept Japan and the rest of the world by storm and we have found some really interesting videos to show you.

Incase you didn’t know, the image you can see on the right is a QR code. QR stands for quick response and these can be used to store a lot of data. You can embed a simple link to a website, or you could even store all your business card contact details, to name but two. This particular QR code is a link to our twitter page, make sure you follow us!

You have probably seen these around on a wide variety of products, originally created to track vehicle parts, QR codes can now be found on food packaging to clothes labels, the uses are endless.

According to jumpscan.com QR codes saw 1200% increase in scanning from July 2010 to December. These are encouraging statistics and with over 57% of Facebook and Twitter users saying that they had scanned a mobile bar code during the same period. From these figures it could be suggested that QR codes are going to become a bigger part of both Marketing Campaigns as well as everyday life.

But how do I use a QR code?

This youtube video explains a little bit more about what a QR code is and some of the more unique ways they are being used in New York. It also gives you details on how you can scan QR codes and even how to create your own with Google.

If you are struggling to find a QR code scanner on your smartphone, the end of the video explains whether your phone has one and suggestions of which ones to download.

Tesco-South Korea QR Codes.

Tesco, branded Home Plus in South Korea is a supermarket chain battling to become the number 1 market leader in both online and offline sales. However Home Plus has a smaller number of stores than its rival E-Mart who are sitting in the golden No. 1 position in retail.

Home Plus were determined to become the number No.1 retail chain without increasing the number of stores they had. How did they plan to tackle this? Using the smartphone and the simple QR Code!

The basic concept was to create a virtual store while users waited on the subway, as you can see in the image Home Plus created mock-up stores on subway stations creating the feeling that commuters were actually grocery shopping. What Home Plus had actually done was create posters each with different products on them with printed QR codes. Users would simply scan the QR code and this would add the product to their shopping basket on their smartphone. The user would then pay online and their shopping would be delivered within hours.

Click here to see the video in full. It’s a fantastic example of the practical uses for QR codes. While QR codes aren’t as big here in the UK it does make you think whether we will be seeing such a site on the London Underground or in other public places?