Quick Response (QR) Codes are becoming a must-have in the retail industry, offering customers a quick way to access exclusive offers, payment systems, and product details with just a scan. This simple interaction makes it easier for shoppers to connect with your store, whether they’re browsing or ready to make a purchase.
But placing QR Codes around your store isn’t enough. To get your customers to scan them, you need to position them in high-traffic areas, pair them with compelling calls to action (CTA), and link them to exciting incentives. When done right, retail QR Codes can enhance the shopping journey, drive sales, and foster customer loyalty.
In this article, we’ll show you how to encourage shoppers to scan QR Codes, creating engaging experiences and new opportunities for brand interaction.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
Why motivating in-store buyers to scan QR Codes matters
Scanning a QR Code is as simple as pointing a mobile device’s camera at it—and with 91% of U.S. adults owning a smartphone, it’s clear that tapping into this technology is a smart move for your store.
Here are some reasons why motivating buyers to scan QR Codes in your physical store is so beneficial:
- Enhanced customer experience: QR Codes give shoppers easy access to valuable digital content like product information, social media pages, customer reviews, and loyalty programs. This makes the in-store experience feel more personalized and enriching.
- Streamline processes: QR Codes facilitate tasks like contactless payments, finding products, and navigating your store for added convenience.
- Boost loyalty: Offering in-store customers exclusive offers and loyalty rewards through QR Codes can encourage them to engage more and come back for future visits. It’s a simple way to build stronger connections with your shoppers.
- Valuable insights: These codes also give you important insights into your customers’ behavior and preferences. For example, Bitly Codes lets you track engagement data, such as scans by location and device type, helping you better understand customer needs and improve future omnichannel campaigns.
Best strategies to encourage in-store QR Code scans
Thinking about adding QR Codes to your store? Here are a few marketing strategies that can help boost interactions:
Use clear and actionable CTAs
Your CTA tells customers exactly what they’ll get after scanning your QR Code. Skip ambiguous words and technical jargon and use simple, clear, and enticing language instead.
Here are some great QR Code call to action examples:
- “Unlock 20% off your next purchase!”
- “Discover exclusive content here.”
- “Claim your free demo and get started today!”
It’s not just about what you say, but where you say it. Make your CTAs stand out by placing them in easy-to-spot locations, like above or beside the QR Code. When your CTAs are visible and compelling, customers are more likely to take action.
Offer exclusive incentives
Offering exciting rewards is one of the best ways to get customers to interact with your codes. Here are a few creative ways to motivate shoppers and some QR Code use cases to inspire you:
- Discounts: Offering savings through a QR Code is an effective way to draw attention. For example, a clothing store might display a QR Code with a sign that says, “Scan to save 15% today!”
- Freebies: Who doesn’t love a freebie? Link codes to URLs with giveaways to increase QR Code scanning. A pastry shop might promote a code that links to a landing page offering an extra cupcake when presented at checkout.
- Loyalty points: Integrating QR Codes into a loyalty program encourages repeat customer engagement. A restaurant could display codes at every table, allowing diners to earn points toward future meals.
Incentives like these create anticipation, increasing engagement and making customers more likely to interact with your content.
Design QR Codes that align with branding
You want customers to recognize your brand instantly when they see your codes. That means incorporating custom design elements so they feel like a natural extension of your store’s aesthetic, not just a functional tool. Branded QR Codes look great and build trust with your customers.
Elevate your in-store codes with Bitly’s QR Code customization features—change colors, upload your logo, and choose a unique frame and pattern. For example, if you’re making a QR Code for a link to a holiday promotion, select colors that align with the season to make the design pop on your promotional materials.
Place QR Codes strategically
For QR Codes to be effective, they need to be placed where customers will easily see them—well-lit spots, at eye level, and on clean surfaces. Test your codes under various lighting conditions and distances to ensure they’re easy to scan.
Functionality should always be a key consideration when placing codes. It’s important to ensure they’re not only visible but also simple for customers to scan and that they’re directed to the appropriate destination.
Here are some strategic places to promote your codes in-store:
- Checkout counters: A perfect place for a payment QR Code. Not only can this facilitate contactless payments, but it can also encourage post-purchase actions like signing up for loyalty programs or accessing exclusive offers.
- End caps: These displays naturally grab attention, making them ideal for QR Codes linked to promotions or product information. Shoppers are likely to pause here, giving you the opportunity to influence their purchase decisions right then and there.
- Product packaging: QR Code labels on packaging can do more than just facilitate the transaction—use them to enhance the experience from beginning to end! Link codes to instructional videos, recipes, or product tips, allowing buyers to engage with your brand even after the purchase.
- Fitting rooms: For clothing retailers, QR Codes in fitting rooms can offer recommendations for complementary items or discounts while customers try on clothes.
- Aisle signage: QR Codes on aisle signage guide customers to specific product categories and promotions, helping them quickly find the items they’re looking for without the hassle of requesting assistance.
Combine QR Codes with interactive purposes
Small retailers can compete with QR Codes by using them to create interactive and engaging experiences. For example, a toy store might link QR Codes to games that unlock augmented reality (AR) features, allowing customers to see a toy in action. This makes the in-store shopping experience more engaging and fun.
Use QR Codes to connect various touchpoints in your store, motivating customers to interact with your brand even after they leave. Connect codes on in-store signage to digital platforms like social media or email, offering a simple way for shoppers to stay connected.
With the Bitly Connections Platform, you can seamlessly create, track, and manage multichannel campaigns by integrating Bitly Links, Bitly Codes, and Bitly Pages. A Bitly Link is a shortened URL that can be shared across platforms and accessed through a phone scan when linked to a Bitly Code.
Bitly also offers complementary domains with some paid plans, allowing you to create a branded link that carries your brand identity for instant recognition.
Bitly Pages allows you to organize multiple links on a single landing page, which you can then share via a QR Code or link. This interconnected system makes it easy to manage and track engagement across all channels.
Examples of creative in-store QR Code campaigns
In 2025, 99.5 million people in the U.S. are expected to use QR Codes, compared to 75.8 million in 2021. This growth highlights how QR Codes are increasingly becoming a powerful tool to improve customer journeys.
Let’s explore some creative uses of QR Codes in retail stores:
A grocery store offering recipe ideas
Imagine customers unlocking delicious recipes while they grab their weekly essentials. QR Codes placed near fresh produce or pantry items can link shoppers to meal ideas or cooking tutorials, transforming their shopping experience.
By offering recipe suggestions, you build an emotional connection with your patrons, potentially boosting repeat purchases. Plus, shoppers are more likely to buy multiple products at once. For instance, a pasta recipe might suggest cheese, sauce, pasta, and spices—all available in-store.
A tech store sharing product tutorials
QR Codes can drive purchasing in tech stores. For example, if Store XYZ is launching a new gadget, they could place QR Codes next to the product, linking customers to a video tutorial that showcases its features and how to use it effectively.
By connecting customers to such helpful information, you make their shopping experience more convenient and informative. This positive interaction can convert first-time shoppers into loyal, repeat customers who trust your store’s convenience and quality.
A fashion retailer promoting loyalty sign-ups
QR Codes are everywhere in the fashion industry, with brands like Sheep Inc. using them to inform customers about the environmental impact of their products.
Fashion retailers can tap into this power by using QR Codes to link directly to their loyalty program sign-up pages. They can also promote a special offer to those who scan and register on the spot. This type of incentive encourages more shoppers to engage with your codes.
Engage shoppers and improve the customer experience with Bitly Codes
QR Codes offer an effective way to elevate your in-store experience, but they need the right support to truly shine. With compelling CTAs, special offers, strategic placement, and visually engaging designs, these 2D barcodes can help you connect with customers in meaningful ways—turning ordinary shopping trips into memorable experiences.
With Bitly, you can create and customize QR Codes that truly reflect your brand. Plus, with Bitly Analytics, you gain valuable insights from every interaction, enabling you to track performance, adjust strategies, and drive deeper engagement. Whether you’re analyzing scan metrics like location, referrer, or device, Bitly provides the tools to help you make data-driven decisions that keep your retail marketing campaigns on track in real time.
Start using Bitly today to transform your in-store customer experience, boost engagement, and build lasting connections using custom QR Codes!
