QR Code Examples: 20 Brands Redefining QR Code Marketing

QR codes offer a wide array of solutions to brands and industries as they look to bridge physical and digital media to their consumers.

That is why it’s interesting to see how these brands used this tech tool through these QR code examples.

As smartphone users surge worldwide, the digital consumer experience is becoming a new trend.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the need to engage consumers digitally and communicate with them, is accelerating the adoption of digital innovations like QR codes.

Apparel brands, hotels, and car brands use QR codes to offer digital experiences to their customers.

Even the gaming industry and organizations are taking advantage of QR code solutions from the best QR code generators for better marketing strategies and advertising efforts.

In this article, we will learn about QR code marketing examples from brands and industries for marketing, advertising, and product authentication.

QR code examples from 20 brands

QR codes have become an indispensable tool for businesses aiming to engage their customers innovatively, with leading brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Amazon embracing their potential.

To join the ranks of these successful brands, utilizing a reliable QR code generator such as QR TIGER is essential for creating dynamic and impactful QR codes.

Here are 20 well-known brands across various industries that have successfully incorporated QR codes into their marketing campaigns, showcasing the versatility and effectiveness of this technology.

1. CyGames and Bilibili

This marketing QR code sample from the gaming company Cygames and a video-streaming company Bilibili launched a light show to celebrate a milestone by flying 1,500 drones that formed a giant QR code over the sky of Shanghai.

Once the QR code is scanned, a website will display it, allowing users to download the game easily.

The said light show event is the anniversary of the China release of the Japanese role-playing game Princess Connect! Re: Dive. It looks like a billboard ad in the air!

2. Kanye West Drops Long-Awaited Yeezy Gap Collection along with QR codes

A new collaboration between Kanye West and Gap, their advertisements were purely a picture of a single clothing item and a QR code.

The jacket went live online while QR codes were displayed in big cities like Chicago and Los Angeles.

3. A QR code example in retail: Victoria’s Secret

The well-known lingerie, clothing, and beauty retailer creatively used QR codes in retail to advertise sex appeal.

Victoria’s Secret launched a “Sexier than Skin” campaign that used QR codes as a marketing example. It is displayed along with a model in a billboard ad.

The QR code, when scanned, led to the brand’s lingerie collection.

4. The R Collective

A new denim collection from The R Collective, a Hong Kong upcycled apparel company supported by Levi’s, uses QR codes to give jeans a digital identity.

The denim collection is accompanied by a scannable QR code that leads to a website. It is printed as a garment label that offers four uses.

The website contains tips about sustainable product care after purchase, supply chain information, and less energy-intensive washing and drying tips.

It also contains information about restyling tips to prolong the life of the clothes as well as advice on recycling the garment at the end of its life.

5. QR code example in RTW: Gabriela Hearst

Another QR code sample is showcased through a brand known for luxury women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and accessories collection that advances clothing transparency using QR codes.

Gabriela Hearst’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection, named “The Garment Journey,” showcased a digital identity that stores information about each garment for customers, resellers, new owners, and recyclers.

The QR code, printed on each garment’s product label, embeds information about the garment.

Customers will know various information like the materials used, country of origin, and production process. Moreover, they will know the carbon footprint of each garment and the narrative behind the design.

6. L’Oreal using QR code campaign

L’Oreal has a stellar promotion with its Virtual Try-on campaign that allows customers to scan a QR code and find a perfect shade.

Customers are taken directly to the tool after scanning the QR code. They can try different shades of lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, liner, and even brow products.

This allows customers to virtually try on hundreds of L’Oreal Paris beauty products online in real time.

They will also know how they would look with the makeup on through the photo-realistic color simulation.

7. PUMA

Sportswear brand PUMA uses QR codes in their new New York flagship store to offer a unique brand story to their customers.

Store visitors can scan a QR code on the display sign with their smartphone at the store entrance.

The QR code triggers an Augmented Reality (AR) experience featuring the PUMA mascot, allowing customers to take a selfie with the mascot.

Visitors can see QR codes displayed on every PUMA product item inside the store.

Once scanned, it will redirect the customer to the item’s product detail page on the PUMA e-commerce site.

They can take a deep dive into the product item’s story and purchase it online.

8. Ralph Lauren QR code

An iconic luxury brand, Ralph Lauren gives consumers the power to authenticate Polo products themselves—simply and immediately, using QR codes printed next to the product label as a marketing example.

The initiative aims to combat counterfeits, grey market items, and trademark infringement that can confuse the market. It reassures consumers that they have purchased an authentic Polo product.

Aside from authentication, consumers who scan the QR code clothing tag can access additional product details and styling recommendations.

It also allows consumers to track products from manufacture and improve inventory management.

9. 1017 Alyx 9Sm

1017 Alyx 9Sm, a fashion brand known for its luxe streetwear, engaged with its customers digitally using QR codes.

Alyx product hangtags featured a scannable QR code that showcases the entire supply chain history of the piece it’s attached to.

That includes when and where the raw materials were sourced, the garment’s manufacturing, and its shipping record.

This smart initiative is not for customer engagement only but also to grow customer lifetime value.

10. Hilton Omaha

Of course, let’s not forget to highlight a QR code sample exemplified by Hilton Omaha where they created QR code menus.

To maintain contactless service, the QR codes were placed in each hotel’s guest room.

The menu QR code redirects customers to a mobile-friendly digital menu for easy access.

Guests have an option for bar-side pick-up or door delivery, depending on the level of person-to-person interaction they are comfortable with.

At the hotel’s lobby bar, QR table tents allow guests to order takeout or classic tableside dining. Isn’t it amazing how QR code offers a safer yet more convenient dining experience?

11. QR code examples in B2C: Wendy’s

In 2019, Wendy’s, a fast-food burger chain, rolled out free food to customers as part of the 50th birthday of the company through the use of QR codes.

The customers will just download Wendy’s app on their phones and use the scanner feature within the app. Wendy’s bags and cups have a scannable “Sip & Scan” icon or QR code to unlock the free food offers.

Wendy’s increased its app download rate and sales with this digital innovation!

12. Mercedes Benz

German automaker Mercedes-Benz incorporated scannable QR codes to help save lives.

The QR code, when scanned, will redirect users to a file copy of the car’s schematics.

This will guide emergency responders to safely see how to save injured occupants in the event of a crash.

13. Burberry

Burberry, a British luxury fashion house, attracts young and tech-savvy shoppers by displaying QR codes in its store windows as it opens its social retail store in China’s tech hub, Shenzhen.

All the items are labeled with QR codes, and once scanned, it will unlock additional content. The codes are printed on product swing tags, making the first Burberry store to do it.

Shoppers who scan the code can also find the latest collections, seasonal products, and exclusive items sold in the store.

14. QR code campaign example: Bond №9

Bond №9, an artisanal perfumery and retailer, launched a QR-code-enabled strategy to drive sales for its latest scent. 

The company primarily targets smartphone-carrying shoppers to purchase the perfume and experience a “digital scent.”

This QR code marketing example is displayed on the perfume bottle, in print ads, and on the brand’s Bondmobile.

When a customer scans the QR code, a website appears to purchase the perfume.

This is one of the creative QR code examples to increase sales!

15. Diageo

Diageo introduced a bottle of Single-Malt Scotch whisky with the “Message in a Bottle” campaign, which used a QR code to introduce it in time for Father’s Day.

The buyers recorded and uploaded personalized video messages using the web app for their fathers.

The QR code is printed on the gift label of the bottle. Once scanned, the recipient can see the video of the personal message.

The said campaign is a novel way to celebrate unforgettable occasions with family and friends. Using a QR code transforms the whiskey into a unique, personalized gift rather than just any other bottle.

16. Nestle

Nestle and Google teamed up to engage consumers using the KitKat QR code when they take a break.

The KitKat QR code is printed on the chocolate bar’s packaging. When scanned, it will redirect consumers to YouTube videos.

With QR codes, the said campaign connects the consumers to the digital world — a great way to take a break.

17. Heinz

Heinz put QR codes on ketchup bottles to promote new environment-friendly packaging. The campaign “Join the Growing Movement” calls on consumers to help conserve nature’s resources using QR codes as a mobile marketing element.

The code, when scanned using smartphones, redirects users to an app. Users can learn to be more environmentally responsible on the app by choosing an activity, such as recycling more from a drop-down list or creating their own.

18. Porsche

German automaker Porsche made a revolutionary digital move using a QR code.

Their decades-old logo or crest is now replaced with a QR code in time with the release of their electric Porsche Taycan.

The company named it the QREST to connect the brand to the new generation of tech-savvy consumers.

It puts Porsche owners in a unique position where people can come over to their cars and scan the QR code to see where it leads.

19. Emart using QR codes in ads

Emart, a shopping center in South Korea, implemented a brilliant sales promotion during lunchtime using QR codes. This is a good example of how to use QR codes in ads.

This QR code marketing example displayed a large QR code with shadows outside the building and used the mid-day sun to create it.

What a creative way to attract customers during lunch-hour downtime!

With this QR code shadow, Emart gained a significant 25 percent increase in its lunch sales and a lot of media coverage.

20. Klarna’s fashion show

Finally, the last and certainly not the least QR code sample is from Klarna, a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service in Australia that hosted a ‘censored runway’ where models wearing bathrobes walked while holding QR codes.

The QR codes are scanned via the Klarna app will ‘reveal’ the outfit.

Should you use QR codes in this digital era? Absolutely yes, and here’s why

QR codes have become very popular and have reached almost every industry because they are easy to use and can store a lot of information.

As illustrated from the above QR code examples and use cases, the QR code is instrumental in every brand’s success.

It is used to assist brands and industries in building brand awareness, driving brand affinity, and even extending promotions to customers.

Using QR codes, you can make the best out of your strategies from offline to online marketing.

Generate your QR codes for your marketing or advertising efforts now with the best QR code generator online!