Walmart sets the bar for customer experience with new in-store QR codes

Since the global pandemic, the world has seen a huge upsurge in usage of QR codes for interactively obtaining information from a distance. An annual 200% increase in creation of QR codes was reported last year. [1] As people have found them very intuitive to use, businesses have started going back to the whiteboard to re-imagine customer experience.

One of the major players making its mark in this space is the retail giant Walmart, as they introduced QR codes for items and categories across their stores in multiple states.

As a customer, you now have the ability to scan QR codes on an item’s pricing label to intuitively and quickly access product information, fulfillment options, similar products and more. You will also find themed QR codes placed across various categories which will help you browse a wider assortment of in-store and online inventory of items.

“We have observed a notable increase in customer satisfaction and engagement with QR codes across Walmart stores, as it’s a quick and easy way for them to explore products, make informed purchase decisions, and save time while availing services offered in store. The same QR codes also serve as a highly efficient gateway for Walmart staff to accurately and quickly manage inventory with technologies like Augmented Reality scans.” says Mihir Pathak, the Senior Product Manager who led the QR code initiative at Walmart.

“While I’m proud to help Walmart pioneer the user experience and digital transformation at scale across a variety of use-cases, the framework can be used by any business to achieve success with customer engagement and brand trust.” Mihir adds.

Observing the success and potential of QR codes, Walmart also introduced its first Store of the Future in and announced plans to eventually revamp all its stores with modern design, QR codes, and easy access to services.[2]

Other retail and hospitality businesses have also started heavily leveraging the technology to ensure a quick and reliable way to connect with customers, enhance marketing opportunities, generate leads, and facilitate easy payments. Reports suggest that the global QR code payments market is on the rise, and is projected to reach around $35 billion by the year 2030.[1]

References:

[1]  IEC report, 9th September 2024.

[2]  NewsNation report, 4th May 2025.