QR Codes Marketing Scans Up 440%

New York based Scanbuy, a company that has recently expanded operations into Argentina, recently released ScanLife’s Q3 Trend Report which shows an increase of 440% in the company’s 1D and 2D QR Codes. This is indicative that consumers are becoming more and more ready to connect with companies and get information sent to them via QR Code Marketing Technology.

Marking the one year milestone of the inaugural ScanLife Trend Report, this report shows that greater than 20M QR Code Marketing scans were recorded through the third 3 month period of calendar year (CY) 2010.

“The technology is definitely moving toward the mainstream,” said Mike Wehrs, president/CEO of Scanbuy, New York. “This can be seen in the types of codes that are being scanned. 

“For example, there has been a sharp increase in number of 1D codes scanned in the grocery (food) category from 14 percent of all 1D products scanned to 40 percent of all 1D products scanned,” he said. “In addition, females now make up 40 percent of our millions of app users which is a big change from a year ago.” 

The Scanlife System is processing over one scan every second.  Scanbuy expects that this number will continue to grow and accelerate in 2011

The company, whose clients include Starbucks and the Home Depot, estimates that in CY10Q4, there will be an additional boost in QR Code Marketing scans as more mobile devices are purchased and activated in time for the holidays

“The industry is going through massive growth with millions of people scanning every day,” Mr. Wehrs said. “We anticipate the mobile bar code industry to continue growing as more brands and marketers integrate codes that engage consumers and provide relevant content and value.

Mr Wehrs goes on to state that he expects marketing departments as well as executive to become smarter “and more strategic in how they are using codes to drive conversion, purchase and activation. We are really just scratching the surface on the potential of these codes.” 

The Trend Report also stated that 44,653 2D (QR Codes) were created from the ScanLife system in the third quarter of this year. There was also an increase of female users of 13% over the previous quarter

At the same time, there was a 26% increase of single dimensional product scans (1D) of products in their grocery division

Campaigns Of Interest as Reported by ScanBuy

During Q3CY10, the largest Scanlife campaigns gained 400,000 scans in six weeks. 

One of the most successful campaign was the STARBUCKS FALL CAMPAIGN in which QR Code Marketing scans directed customers to a mobile optimized video landing page where they could learn about the company’s VERONA blend coffee. 

Other successful campaigns included:

Taco Bell’s “Unlock the Box” campaign

QR Code Marketing linked to MTV Video Music Awards content.  Videos, teasers, interviews and performance footage were updated weekly for user experiences and ensuring return visits.  This campaign alone, according to Scanbuy, generated 420,000 scans during a six week period only because it was the only way to access this content.

Staples’ PC-a-Day Giveaway

QR Code Marketing printed in newspaper linking to an exclusive contest

FedEx’s “Ship Smart” campaign

In store signage that linked customers to a mobile page so that they could create shipping labels, visit the mobile FedEx website and download the mobile application

“Our campaigns with both Starbucks and Taco Bell were strategically executed by placing codes in a relevant context and providing valuable content to consumers scanning the code,” Mr. Wehrs said. “Content that went beyond pointing to a static Web page.”