How can CPG brands benefit from QR Codes?

2020 has been a year of unprecedented happenings. But how are the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry adapting to this radical year? The answer: QR codes. The QR Code solution has been in use for a long time in the CPG industry. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the usefulness of QR codes to ensure contactless exchanges. QR codes on consumer packaged goods not only facilitate hassle-free contactless exchanges and deliveries, but they also allow marketing professionals to gain actionable insights, such as the demographics of their consumers, consumer preferences, and consumer behavior, among others. CPG companies across the globe have started adopting QR Codes. Companies across the globe have been forced to take up online activities on account of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns. Since March, this situation has presented a myriad of issues for business. Organizations around the world have been forced to redesign their entire system. This pandemic has forced institutions to rethink how they can deliver holistic products and services to their customers. Although it is a bit tedious, this situation also provides an opportunity for growth, to break out of old habits and inculcate new ones, and at the same time adopt relevant modes of technology for delivering excellence. QR Codes have become the go-to for many organizations in the CPG industry, to ensure adequate social distancing protocols. The health of people is at risk, and hence to curb the spread of the virus, many institutions have opted to close their brick-and-mortar shops. However, now that businesses across the globe are slowly reopening, companies are taking all necessary precautions to ensure strict adherence to the social distancing guidelines mentioned by the local authorities. By incorporating QR codes in consumer packaged goods, companies are also ensuring business continuity, as well as helping their workers secure their wages. Although there is no one appropriate solution for such dire situations, opting for contactless solutions such as QR Codes and near-field communication (NFC) tags can assist companies to establish and monitor the safe environments for customers and staff. Business in the CPG industry can leverage these contactless solutions to incorporate the following while reopening: • Contactless engagement • Contactless assistance for wayfinding • Contactless ordering of products & services • Enable contact tracing • Contactless IDs The year 2020 has ushered the way for the deployment of QR codes. QR codes have regained their importance in the 21st century on account of their ability to instantly transmit information in a contactless manner. Moreover, QR codes have a low cost associated with them, which makes them attractive for businesses as well as consumers. Using QR codes on CPGs As per a recent research study the use of QR codes grew by approximately 45% from 2018 to 2019. This growth in the usage of QR codes came even before the entire world was compelled to stay within the confinement of their homes. It is the need of the hour to employ QR codes to ensure business continuity and safety of customers and staff members. Understanding QR Codes You first need to understand QR codes, before choosing to employ them on everything. The QR code stands for ‘quick response’. This QR code is a type of barcode that encodes certain alpha-numeric information, which can be decoded by a scanner in your smartphone. This can be highly useful in making payments, acquiring information about a certain product, or even transferring money to your friends and loved ones. One of the major reasons for the increased usage of QR codes is that nowadays, all smartphones come with an in-built QR code scanning technology, with no requirement of additional applications. Using the Right Tools To successfully employ QR codes in CPG, you will need two categories of software. The first category of software includes the barcode software, which assists in creating a QR code that can be read by a machine. The second category of software includes the e-commerce tools which assist companies to incorporate additional functionality to their processes. These functionalities include a platform that enables the business to provide consumers a digital experience with the help of QR codes. Adapting to the New Normal Even though the lockdown is slowly being lifted in multiple countries, people are still skeptical about venturing out and visiting brick and mortar stores. Consumer packaged goods companies have to adapt to this new normal and incorporate QR codes which can be a wonderful way to engage their shoppers. CPG companies can choose to incorporate FAQs, loyalty programs, and marketing campaigns, in the QR codes on their products. Since consumers cannot be urged to try out new products in-person, QR codes can be a great way to educate them about new offers and promotional events. Conclusion The pandemic has caused ripples through the consumer packaged goods companies around the world. . It has transformed the way companies conduct business, and hence, going ahead, contactless solutions such as NFC tags and QR Codes are set to become part and parcel of businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has shattered the notion that the CPG industry is slow in adapting to changes. On the contrary, consumer packaged goods companies across the globe have proved that they can embrace novel approaches to deliver products & services to their customers, and at the same time ensure the safety of their customers and staff members.