Advertisers in China are also increasingly fusing outdoor and digital ads using QR codes. For instance, consumers can follow the QR code on a billboard to view related livestreams or social media posts.

Most notable among these has been PayPal, which enabled QR code payments in May 2020. This move could encourage adoption of the technology among its 305 million users, especially as other players add popular retail partners that may bring customers onboard.

A rise in QR-code mobile payments will also facilitate the trend, especially as major players like PayPal roll them out for the first time and others like Apple weigh a move into the space. Since QR-based payments are simpler for merchants to set up and infrastructure-light relative to their NFC-based peers, they can bring mobile payments to a broader set of sellers.

For in-person payments: In-person QR code payments will remain unchanged. For QR code transactions over $10, the rate is 1.90% plus $0.10 per transaction, and for such transactions $10 and under, the rate will be 2.40% plus $0.05. For certain in-person debit and credit transactions the rate will be 2.29% plus $0.09—or $2.38 in fees for a $100 purchase.

Article: Fiserv lets merchants accept PayPal and Venmo QR code payments.

Here’s how it works: The Fresh grocery will allow buyers to scan QR codes, use Amazon One to read their palms, or insert their credit or debit cards associated with their Amazon accounts. Earlier Amazon Go stores didn’t allow shoppers to enter without an app installed on their devices, and offering various ways to pay could now ease more consumers in.

Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly developing QR code capabilities for Apple Pay, which would let Apple tap into another contactless payment method and also help users engage with their devices more often. This could bolster Apple Pay’s user base and loyalty at a key moment, as regulatory interest could lead to stiffer competition.

Most notable among these has been PayPal, which enabled QR code payments in May 2020. This move could encourage adoption of the technology among its 305 million users, especially as other players add popular retail partners that may bring customers onboard.

Marketers can add clients or prospects to different group chats, via an invitation or QR code, to provide personalized engagement and push targeted content. “We’ve seen much higher response rates [for content shared in group chats] than for content pushed through an official channel, like a company account,” Chang said. The third was intracompany marketing communication.

The salon will use AR to show customers how their hair could look after using various products, which customers can then purchase via QR code. The experience is a blend of in-person and virtual shopping—a new muscle that Amazon is starting to flex as it ventures further into brick-and-mortar retail.

When internet non-users in China were asked about daily inconveniences they encountered, the one they cited most was being barred from certain public places for not having a “health” QR code that identifies their contagion risk based on their digital and physical footprints. The second-most cited inconvenience was dealing with cashless businesses.

Crypto exchanges and wallets are starting to enable crypto payments via QR codes and their apps. For example, Gemini Pay from crypto exchange Gemini allows users to spend cryptos—including Bitcoin and its stablecoin Gemini dollar—at more than 30,000 retail locations in the US by scanning a QR code from its app.

And other digital crypto payments have only just gotten off the ground: Gemini Pay from crypto exchange Gemini enables crypto spend using a QR code at only 30,000 retail locations in the US. Given PayPal’s massive network, “Checkout with Crypto” could catapult crypto payments into the mainstream.

Merchants were a driving force behind PayPal’s user growth thanks to its core products, from its one-click online checkout button to in-store innovations like its QR code payments, which helped meet consumer needs during the coronavirus pandemic.

Consumers in China, whether buying at retail outlets or street stalls, are using proximity mobile payments—largely supported by QR codes—and reducing their dependency on cash.

Revolut is making a play for business clients that could help anchor its profitability as well, introducing a suite of bookkeeping tools for small businesses last week and enabling SMBs to accept and review payments instantly via QR codes last month.