Pandemic spurring consumer QR code usage

Customer use of QR codes has increased during the pandemic as retailers moved to offer shoppers touch-free interactive experiences in store.

That's a prime finding of a OnQ survey, QR Code Consumer Use Study, which explores how shopper behavior around QR codes has evolved since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release.

Survey respondents indicated a 110% increase in QR code usage on a daily or weekly basis compared to 2019, more than doubling since the start of the pandemic.

The primary reasons customers choose to scan QR codes are to take advantage of a discount or other special offer (65%), and get additional product information (61%).

"Make no mistake, the pandemic was hugely disruptive to the retail industry. But we're now starting to see that many changes to the in-store shopping experience borne out of necessity during the pandemic's darkest days are having a lasting, positive effect," OnQ CEO Paul Chapuis said in the release. "The increased use of QR codes at retail is a great example of a pandemic-driven change that's here to stay. Brands and retailers are seizing the opportunity to deepen customer engagement now that shoppers are much more comfortable interacting with QR codes."

The pandemic dealt a temporary blow to touch interactivity as customers became more reluctant to engage with high-touch surfaces, such as interactive displays. QR codes filled the gap, enabling retailers to offer touch-free interactive experiences customers control with their phones.

This third-party study csurveyed customers throughout the U.S. who own a smartphone, are familiar with QR codes, and regularly shop at a variety of retail establishments, including multi-department retailers, club stores, consumer electronics stores, department stores, malls, drug stores, hardware stores and specialty retailers. Of the more than 400 respondents, 51% identified as female and 49% identified as male. The majority of respondents (35%) were 18-29 years old, while 32% were 45-60, 19% were over 60, and 14% were 30-44 years old.

OnQ designs, engineers and manufactures retail displays. The company is headquartered in Hayward, California with production facilities in Akron, Ohio. The company was founded in 2004 and incorporated in 2007.