How to Use QR Codes for Your Grocery Store

Opening a grocery store is a way to provide an essential service for your community. However, the costs involved with marketing new arrivals and specials can add up fast. Luckily, there’s a way to cut down your costs while keeping your customers up-to-date with your products and deals: QR codes.

We’ve compiled the best tips for how to use QR codes for grocery stores as a tool to successfully grow your business and open more locations quickly.

How to Best Use a QR Code to Help Grow Your Grocery Store

If you’re ready to generate your first QR code but aren’t sure how to use it, here are a few ideas.

Newest Products

QR codes for grocery stores are most often used as a way to showcase your newest and freshest product arrivals. Add this code to your website or store window to make it easier for customers to view your current and seasonal items without needing to waste paper or pay expensive printing fees every week.

Coupons and Deals

Try creating a QR code that directs your customers to sign up for your email list or text alerts, receive exclusive coupons, or be notified of seasonal specials. Not only will they get the latest updates, but you’ll have a dedicated list of customers primed to receive your marketing.

Virtual Business Cards

Business cards can get lost or damaged easily, so many grocery store owners now use virtual business cards pulled up via QR code. These QR codes for grocery stores can automatically pull up any information you want, including your name, phone number, email address, social media handles, etc., and let your customer or potential wholesale partner automatically store it as a new contact right in their phone’s address book.

Customer Service

If you want your customers to have a way to quickly reach out when they have questions or concerns, set up a QR code that’s linked to your email address. When your customer opens the code with their camera phone, the QR code will pull up their email client with your email address pre-filled and ready to send.

Links to Your Social Media

If social media is a primary way that you market your store, using a QR code that’s linked to your main account is a great, low-cost way to funnel your potential customers where you want them to go.

Payment Gateways

If you collect any sort of payments for curbside pickup or delivery through apps or Bitcoin, your unique QR code can automatically send customers to your payment gateway. This eliminates the chance of losing the order or having to worry about your cashiers handling sensitive payment information.

Testimonials

No advertising is better than word-of-mouth, so setting up a new QR code that directs satisfied customers to a review site will allow them to leave a testimonial about their experience working with you.

What Is a QR Code, and How Does It Work?

Quick response (QR) codes are unique codes that smartphones and tablets can scan with their built-in cameras. These codes are used for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:

  • Sending a customer to a URL
  • Sending an email to a specified address
  • Showing an image or video

Your imagination only limits the possibilities of using QR codes for grocery stores.

Static QR Codes vs. Dynamic QR Codes

Static 

Static codes direct a person to a permanent URL or action and cannot be changed. Static codes are a popular QR code option for grocery store owners and are great for new users who want to test how well they work with their customers.

Dynamic 

Dynamic codes can be edited and re-edited as needed — even after printing.

How to Make QR Codes for a Grocery Store

Making a QR code is easy! Here’s how to do it using our QR code generator:

  1. Select the type of code you’d like to make. Some of the options we provide include:
  2. Enter your content
  3. Customize the code with your brand colors or use a gradient to make your code pop
  4. Add your logo or another image to help better brand your unique code.
  5. Customize the design with the right weight and style.
  6. Click “Create QR Code,” and you’ll receive a unique, ready-to-use code.
  7. Test your QR code to ensure it works correctly by aiming your smartphone camera at the code.

Should I use a QR Code for My Grocery Store?

Using a QR code is an excellent way to use technology as a marketing tool that keeps customers up-to-date with your latest products and ensures you’re able to provide the best customer service possible.

Ready to get started? Use our free QR code generator to create a unique QR code for your grocery store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change where the QR code sends my customers?

If you create a dynamic QR code, you’ll have the ability to update the action scanning your code takes. However, this can be hard to manage when you have multiple codes. Instead, if you want to change where a QR code goes, you can create a new static QR code.

How easy is it to use a QR code?

Both iOS and Android smartphones have built-in technology that automatically recognizes a QR code through their camera apps. All your customer has to do is open their camera and scan the code; their phone will do the rest.

Can QR codes be used digitally, or do they need to be printed?

QR codes for grocery stores can be used both digitally and in print. Depending on the quality of your QR code image, your standard inkjet or laser printer is capable of printing a high-resolution code. Whether you decide to use it digitally or on paper, the only thing you need to keep in mind is maintaining the 1:1 ratio so that your code is perfectly square.

How Can I Use a QR Code?

Many grocers will use QR codes as a way for customers to check the latest products on sale or to sign up for their email list to receive discounts and coupons. Some stores have even had success putting them on their cashier’s uniforms.