Have you seen the new QR Code barcodes that are everywhere? Well now they are going to be at Home Depot. The company announced this week that it is deploying a “mobile barcode program” that will come alongside ads promoting Martha Steward Living kitchens. If you have a smart phone (and apparently 25 million of us do, according to the latest numbers) you can download apps (our favorites are Google Goggles and RedLaser) that allow you to snap a pic of the QR code and receive access to website info, product videos, reviews and more.
Home Depot is going to be putting these things everywhere, apparently. Ads, sales circulars, store shelves… If the test goes well, my guess is that QR codes will start to show up for other items as well, especially if manufacturers get on board and start producing more product videos and media that can enhance or encourage sales of products. Better yet, QR codes can deliver discounts and incentives to consumers as well as a way to purchase the item directly (presumably from HomeDepot.com) on your phone.
This particular QR code roll-out is courtesy of ScanBuy, and users can, in addition to the apps we mentioned above, grab the free ScanLife app at Homedepot.com/scan (hint: go there from your smart phone). You can also, apparently, text “HDscan” to 43588 and get it.
So will you be ready to whip out your iPhone or Android phone at Home Depot to check out the new codes? Or is this going to be more “clutter” and end up as just another vehicle to push advertising down our throats? In our opinion it could be good or bad. If coupons and incentives abound, the introduction of QR codes into retail shopping could end up being a boon to the economy – after all, owners of Smart Phones typically spend more money overall. If it ends up being primarily an ad vehicle, then expect it to be a fad that drops off. The market shoudl take care of it either way, but for now I choose to be optimistic.
Let us know what you think in our forums.
