• Customers can get product information quickly and easily by scanning QR codes on packaging. 
• In order to give customers access to a variety of information and experiences, QR codes can be placed on various types of packaging. 
• Companies wishing to increase the value of their standard packaging and link their offline and online marketing campaigns might benefit greatly from QR codes.

It has always been difficult to access this information, even before the advent of QR codes or quick response codes. A barcode known as a QR code that a smartphone camera can read is becoming increasingly common as a packaging design tool. According to a US survey conducted in June 2021, 59% of participants think using QR codes on smartphones will become standard practice. But QR codes have advantages that go beyond simple use. The value of QR codes on the packaging is unquestionable. They can provide product information and user manuals to collect customer feedback and improve the consumer experience. Keep reading to learn more about how companies are leveraging the power of QR codes and how they can be used on different types of packaging.

What are QR codes?

A smartphone's camera may scan QR codes, also known as rapid response codes. Although these codes have been around for a while, packaging designers are starting to use them more frequently. A group of Japanese engineers developed the first QR code to track vehicles as they were being manufactured in 1994. Since then, QR codes have grown and are utilized in many different fields and contexts, such as marketing and packaging.

Are QR codes really on the rise?

According to a Statista survey conducted in the US in June 2021, 59% of participants think using QR codes on smartphones will become a regular part of their lives. 

Additionally, there are more QR codes on the market than ever before: 6,825,842 global users have scanned dynamic QR codes created by users, a 433% increase over 2021 data. With 2,880,960 scans, the United States has the most QR code usage among all nations.

What are the benefits of using QR codes on the packaging?

Packaging should include QR codes to engage with customers and give them useful information. This might include product information, user guides, retail locations, and multimedia materials. QR codes can be printed on primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging to provide clients with the most recent information and are editable in real time.

Let's briefly examine the benefits of using QR codes on packaging:

• Consumers can quickly and easily access product information using QR codes, including usage guidelines, ingredient lists, and business websites. 
• In the supply chain, QR codes can be used to follow the progress of products and confirm their legitimacy. 
• When used for consumer marketing, QR codes can give discounts or other special deals to customers who scan the code. 
• Reviews and feedback from customers can be gathered using QR codes. The consumer's reaction might be closely tied to the batch of goods when it is printed on the packaging. 
• By giving customers an easy and engaging way to interact with the product, QR codes can be utilized to improve the overall customer experience

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Various techniques for utilizing the potential of QR codes on packaging 

To give customers access to various information and experiences, QR codes can be placed on numerous types of packaging. QR codes can provide information about the product, such as its ingredients, expiration dates, and manufacturer, on primary packaging, which houses the actual product. How-to videos and other interactive material can be found via QR codes on secondary packaging, which carries the product indirectly. Additionally, QR codes can be placed on tertiary packaging, the container in which the product is delivered, to introduce a brand or provide details about a company's regulations.

There are numerous instances of QR codes being used successfully on the packaging. Upscale company Gabriela Hearst uses QR codes to make information about their apparel more transparent. To assist clients in selecting the ideal lipstick hue, L'Oreal developed a virtual campaign using QR codes. As part of the company's 50th-anniversary celebration, Wendy's employed QR codes to give out free food to consumers. And to present its clothing line, the Klarna shopping app even sent models down the runway while brandishing QR code boards.

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How did Nestlé use the power of QR codes on their product's primary packaging?

Nestle is an example of a business implementing QR codes on plain packaging. For many years, Nestle has printed QR codes on the packaging of its products to give customers access to more detailed product information. For instance, Nestle has incorporated QR codes on its Pure Life bottled water container that, when scanned, give customers access to details about the water's source and the business's environmental initiatives. Nestle has also included QR codes on the product's container to inform customers about the KitKat chocolate bar's nutritional content and components. Nestle has given customers more details about its products in a practical and accessible way by adding QR codes to the plain packaging.

How does Johnson & Johnson use QR codes on secondary packaging to create additional customer journey touchpoints?

Johnson & Johnson illustrates a business employing QR codes on secondary packaging. To provide customers with access to more details about its over-the-counter medicines, including Tylenol and Motrin, the company has placed QR codes on the packaging of those products. The QR codes direct users to a website where they can access tools like a symptom checker and emergency care information, as well as details on the correct usage and administration of the prescription. Johnson & Johnson has given customers useful information to utilize their products safely and effectively by including QR codes on its secondary packaging.

How does DELL support customers' sustainability efforts through QR codes on their product's tertiary packaging?

Dell is one firm that uses QR codes on its packaging. To provide customers with access to details about the product and the business's recycling policy, Dell has included QR codes on the packaging of its computer products. The QR codes direct clients to a website where they can learn more about the features and specs of the product as well as how to recycle it when it is no longer required. Dell has been able to give customers useful information about its goods and environmental initiatives in a simple and easily accessible method by utilizing QR codes on its tertiary packaging.

How can you engage users to scan your QR code more often?

Some ways can successfully engage consumers and encourage them to utilize and scan QR codes on packaging. The QR code must first be visible and easily found by customers. This can entail putting the code in a noticeable spot on the packaging or utilizing a call to action that instructs buyers to scan the code.

In conclusion, supply chain managers that want to boost customer interaction and offer useful information can benefit from using QR codes on packaging. They can provide customers with various facts and experiences, from product data and how-to films to brand introductions and corporate rules, on multiple types of packaging. Companies may increase the value of their standard packaging and link their offline and online marketing campaigns by including QR codes in their packaging design.

If you would like us to help you find ways how you can integrate and optimize the use of QR codes on your packaging, reach out to us. Book an appointment with one of our experts today!