QR Codes, AR & Smart Packaging: The Future Is Now

It’s a digital-first world, and product packaging is no longer behind. The changing technological landscape is benefiting businesses by making accessibility easier for customers. We are talking about the integration of QR codes, AR and smart packaging.

Packing is not limited only to simple labelling or wrapping in a box.

Today’s tech-driven world is forcing businesses to look beyond traditional mechanisms to connect with their customers. The technological revolutions enable business owners to improve their supply chain and ensure product safety, all through smart packaging.

In this article, we will understand why smart packaging is important, what it entails and how it improves customer experience. 

Why Move to Smart Packaging?

From IoT-based smart packaging to QR code packaging, these solutions are transforming containers and boxes into tools for traceability, engagement and data collection. The sensor signals and simple scans are streamlining logistics, boosting brand trust and offering customers an enhanced experience.

Smart packaging includes technologies like QR codes and augmented reality (AR), and NFC (near field communication), which offer enhanced customer experience. They also allow maintaining transparency about the products, offer convenience, and engagement from customers. Adding QR codes with your brand logo and creatives on packaging, you can make your brand memorable. 

Different Categories in Packaging

Let’s see how many categories there are in packaging –

• The first category of smart packaging is active packaging, where the packaging solutions react to environmental conditions like humidity or temperature. 
• The second category is intelligent packaging, through which brands can communicate necessary information about the condition of the product. 
• The third category is connected packaging through which brands can link the physical products to the digital world through AR, QR codes and NFC.

Connected packaging is transforming the way brands communicate with their customers. It allows sharing personalised content. Smart packaging solutions enable customers to verify product authenticity with ease. For example, you must have noticed that many health and wellness-focused brands provide QR codes in their product packaging, so that customers can scan the code to determine if it’s an authentic product or not.  

AR and QR Codes in Packaging

Brands use augmented reality in packaging, which includes the integration of digital content in the product packaging with the help of QR codes. It creates an engaging and interactive experience for customers. QR code packaging is an efficient solution so that brands can create smart labels for customers. 

How QR Codes Enhance Customer Engagement and Loyalty

Brands like Nike, Muscle Blaze, McDonald’s, Hershey, etc include smart labels and QR codes on their product to increase transparency. Brands can share detailed ingredient information to maintain transparency and boost loyalty.

• Customers can view the origin details of the product. 
• Customers can find out the sustainability practices through QR codes. 
• Customers can verify the authenticity of the product instantly. 
• QR codes also allow access support and facilitate re-ordering for customers.

QR codes are the backbone of smart packaging as they are scannable and familiar on smart devices. Brands are increasingly using dynamic QR codes so that they can have complete control over what customers will see without having to change the entire packaging.

The best part about smart packaging is that it bridges the gap between the physical and the digital World for the customers. It provides a digital in-store shopping experience to customers that helps brands boost loyalty and drive enhanced user engagement. 

Let’s Look at Some of The Prominent Examples of Smart Packaging

Pepsi

Do you remember Pepsi’s packaging in the past 3 seasons of IPL?

The summer marketing campaign by Pepsi included AR technology. Through this, the brand enabled the customers to scan the code to get exclusive offers and cashback. The campaign was a hit in India, considering the IPL fever. Pepsi could successfully engage millions of customers to make Pepsi part of their celebration.

Customers ordered Pepsi online through quick commerce apps and Kirana stores. This campaign created a positive experience for customers and consequently improved customer loyalty and engagement. 

Heinz

Heinz is a food processing company based in America, which is famous for their iconic Ketchup and other food products.

Heinz ketchup packaging enlists QR codes to deliver the brand’s marketing messages to customers. It also includes ingredients and recipes for their products that drive awareness in customers.

It’s simple and effective, isn’t it? Adding a QR to your brand’s product packaging just gives a sneak peek to customers. They get a better idea and understanding of what your brand is. They resonate with the product better. It’s an insider detail that helps you connect with your audience more. 

To Sum Up

Brands are not just giving a sneak peek to the customers; they are elevating the overall customer experience through smart packaging. Smart packaging helps you stand out from your competitors. Smart packaging solutions make your brand trustworthy and authentic. It elevates your marketing game and boosts customer loyalty.

If your brand struggles with gaining customer trust, smart packaging may just change the field for you. So why wait? Reach out to us to customise your packaging design and deliver an elevated experience to your customers. Our designers at VerveBranding, a professional product packaging design company in India, are skilled in providing smart packaging solutions that speak a thousand words about your brand.