QR Code Trends: Future Industry Trends Across the Globe

You know what a QR Code is. These 2D barcodes have been around for years now. Just like traditional barcodes, they store information. But that’s not all. They go a step ahead of barcodes to offer many other advantages.

For example, high data storage capacity, editability, and trackability. And the most remarkable feature of QR Codes is their fast scanning ability. This was one of the chief factors behind their development in 1994 by Denso Wave Corporation.

QR Codes have gained immense popularity since the last decade. Here are the three chief reasons behind that:

A. How QR Codes gained momentum

First, increase in smartphone penetration. It increased from 59.01% in 2017 to 78.5% in 2020. Along with that, smartphone companies increasingly started adding QR Code scanning feature to the devices.

Second, access to high-speed mobile internet. Internet penetration has increased globally. As per the statistics, about 62% of the world’s population was using the internet in 2021. In fact, the annual growth rate of internet users stands at 4.8%.

Third, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for contactless technologies across the globe. And QR Codes being both contactless and economical gained immense popularity amidst the pandemic.

Thanks to these factors, QR Code usage has been soaring immensely. In fact, 2021 was known as the ‘Year of QR Codes’. After all, QR Codes were seen everywhere from brochures and tickets to the sky.

In this article, we’ll see an overview of what QR Code trends surfaced in 2022. You can even download a free e-book on the same here.

B. QR Code trends in 2022

1. Lighting up the dark sky

Projecting QR Codes in the sky is not new. Many brands have been doing it for some time, but here are some trendsetters in 2022!

a. In March 2022, media company Giant Spoon projected QR Code in the sky in Austin, Texas during the SXSW festival.

On scanning it, people could watch the trailer of the series ‘Halo’ by Paramount+

b. In April 2022, US-based drone display firm Sky Elements displayed a QR Code in the sky of Dallas.

It was built in collaboration with content developer Jared Guynes.

When scanned, the QR Code redirected to the “Never Gonna Give You Up” YouTube video by Rick Astley. This activity was done as a part of an April Fool’s Day prank.

2. Making fashion industry tech-savvy

Brands have come up with some interesting and unique ways to use QR Codes. Here are a few examples how:

a. In June 2022, Bacardi Rum partnered with a streetwear brand Nahmias. They added a QR Code to the clothing line. The clothes debuted at Paris Men’s fashion week

When scanned, the QR Code took the end-users to albums by upcoming musicians.

b. In December, Dutch digital agency Born05 created a scanwear garment, a scarf. The scarves not only boasted bold prints but also had a QR Code.

When scanned, it took users to a customizable website. It helped them showcase their personalities in a unique way.

Zeferino De Fretes, lead designer at Born05 said:

“By having a unique QR code on your scarf that leads to your Reveals page, you can reveal things to the outside world. Stuff you wouldn’t normally share on your socials or in all of your conversations with people who are close to you.”

Now that sure is one of the most unique QR Code trends, right?

3. Adding life to football jerseys

a. In January 2022, Italian football club Inter Milan added a QR Code to their home kit. When scanned, the QR Code redirected the audience to the stadium version of the anthem “C’e solo l’Inter

This was done to strengthen the relationship between the fans and the team.

b. In fact, the English football club Brentford did something similar. They added heart-shaped QR Codes on their home kits. Scanning those educated people on resuscitation skills

The aim was to encourage people to learn the basics of CPR.

There’s a lot more to uncover when it comes to QR Code Trends. Luckily, you won’t have to scour the internet for the same.

We have talked about everything in our neat, little eBook. Tap to download!

4. Making it to TV commercials

a. The Indian delivery app Dunzo did something very quirky with QR Code. They displayed one on the TV screen during the IPL match

The TV screen went blank, and there was a message displayed that said, “Inconvenience regretted, scan for convenience”

When scanned, it took the users to download the Dunzo application. Now this one was playful!

And the best part was that the QR Code got a lot better engagement than Dunzo had expected.

b. In February 2022, Coinbase used a 30-second Super Bowl ad spot by showing a QR Code bouncing around the screen.

Scanning it took the viewers to a promotional page that offered free Bitcoins worth USD 15 for creating an account. It also gave them a chance to win USD 3 million giveaway. Isn’t that a quick way to get your giveaway to perform?

5. In the popular TV shows

a. Remember the Marvel series ‘She-Hulkؚ: Attorney at Law’? Then you may also recollect its first episode featuring a QR Code for six-minutes straight

Scanning it took the viewers to a link to access a free digital comic.

QR Codes were also seen in other episodes of the series later.

b. The television series Ms. Marvel’s first episode too had a QR Code. It was, however, hidden. The ones who found it were rewarded with a free digital comic book on scanning it

The QR Code redirected to Ms. Marvel’s (2014) #1, the character’s first issue of the solo series.

c. Here’s another trend from Marvel. Their television serial Moon Knight hosted on Disney+ had hidden QR Code in all its episodes

Scanning one took viewers to Marvel’s website. This enabled them to get free access to Moon Knight’s digital comic book.

6. QR Code trends in the automobile industry

a. In May 2022, Microsoft teamed up with the BWT Alpine F1 team for the Fast Track to PC Game Pass Challenge

BWT Alpine F1 had already been teasing the Fast Track to PC Game Pass Challenge on social media. Oh, and they had QR Codes all around all this while.

The QR Codes were pasted onto the liveries of their Alpine A522 F1 car. From the first practice session, users could look for the cars to scan these QR Codes.

b. During the same year, BMW partnered with AirConsole, an online video game console. They also used QR Code which helped users play games using their phones as controllers on the car’s display.

This technology is to be launched in the year 2023.

C. What does the future hold for QR Codes

Such massive use of QR Code tech by leading brands and industries tells you a lot.

That’s why brands and businesses are riding this roller coaster ride regardless of their size.

Don’t believe us? We’ll let the numbers do the talking here:

• According to the mobility report by Ericsson, Global smartphone subscriptions are expected to grow at a CAGR of 3% from 2022 to 2028
  
  This means a greater proportion of people will have access to QR Code scanning applications.

• The QR Code payments market is expected to grow by 25% from 2022 to 2026, as per a report by Juniper Research.
  
  This would be fueled by the increased focus on financial inclusion by developing countries and people adopting alternatives to traditional banking systems.

• And QR Code technology is future-ready! How so?
  
  You can integrate it with other technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital twin. And all of these technologies are only going to grow.
  
  – The AR market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 31.5% from 2021 to 2030
  
  – Digital Twin market growth is also expected close to 39.48% from 2022 to 2030

These trends only go on to indicate that there’s no stopping QR Code’s growth. 

The trends and the data that we mentioned above are not all. If you want to catch up on more trends, you can download our eBook. 

There, you can read everything about QR Code trends in 2022 and more.