The Home Depot announced Tuesday it will roll out its first mobile barcode program in a national print campaign featuring Martha Steward Living kitchens. By taking a picture of a 2-D barcode known as a QR code, shoppers can instantly watch product videos, read product reviews and purchase items directly from their smartphones.
The do-it-yourself retail giant plans to use the QR codes both outside their stores in print and online as well as on shelves within stores.
"We know our customers are already using their mobile device to assist in the purchasing process, and now Home Depot is embracing this technology to more closely connect our stores and customers to our digital content," Tom Sweeney, senior director of online strategy for Homedepot.com, said in a statement. The company will also use the codes to offer promotions and discounts on featured Home Depot products along with a one-button option to buy.
The QR code technology is provided by ScanBuy, a pioneer in the barcode field. Home Depot’s codes can be scanned using the ScanLife app and customers without a scanning app can download the ScanLife app at Homedepot.com/scan or they can text HDscan to 43588.
There are roughly 25 million people in the United States who already have barcode scanning technology from their mobile device and the number is growing rapidly, according to ScanBuy. All it takes is a phone with a camera and an Internet connection, but people with big-display, video-ready devices like the iPhone, HTC Evo 4 and ThunderBolt will get the bigger benefit from Home Depot.