Why QR Codes Are a Business Necessity in 2025: Insights & Strategies

QR Codes: A Business Necessity, Not a Trend

Remember when we called it ‘surfing the internet’ and not ‘Googling’? It’s one of those moments when technology became so ingrained in our lives that it became a verb. It’s safe to say we’re heading toward a time when “QR-ing” might be just as commonplace. Once an underdog of the tech world, they are now a core tool for businesses across industries—not just in marketing but in operations, logistics, security, healthcare, and internal workflows.

According to our State of QR Codes 2025 report, 59% of consumers scan QR Codes daily. And they’re not just scanning to check out a menu. Businesses are embedding QR Codes deep into their operations, solving real problems—from tracking supply chains to securing access to sensitive data.
So, the question isn’t “Should we use QR Codes?” but “Are we using them the right way?”

QR Codes are changing more than just marketing

For years, businesses have used QR Codes as a shortcut to a website. Slap a code on an ad, send users to a landing page, and hope something happens. But in 2025, that’s just scratching the surface.

Some businesses still treat QR Codes as an afterthought—printing them on packaging or ads without a clear plan. But the smartest companies? They’ve built QR Codes into their strategy, infrastructure, and revenue model.

Supply Chain & Inventory Management – 43% of businesses use QR Codes for logistics tracking and 39% for improving inventory management.

Healthcare & Patient Information – Hospitals and pharma companies use QR Codes for secure patient data access, prescription tracking, and even digital health records.

Payments & Transactions – Contactless payment adoption continues to rise, with 62% of people encountering QR Codes for secure transactions.

Sustainability & Paper Reduction – 89% of businesses believe QR Codes will play a major role in sustainability efforts by replacing printed manuals, receipts, and packaging inserts.

Security & Authentication – 59% of users have encountered QR Codes for secure logins, employee access, and multi-factor authentication.

This isn’t about better marketing. It’s about better operations, security, efficiency, and customer experiences.

A snapshot of the state of QR Codes in 2025

QR Codes are reshaping customer engagement. Here’s a quick look at the key shifts shaping QR adoption in 2025:

🟣 QR scanning is habitual – 59% of users scan QR Codes daily to access information, offers, and services instantly.
🔴 Engagement is high-intent – A QR scan isn’t a casual scroll; it’s a decision. As a result, QR-initiated journeys see a 37% average click-through rate (CTR)—a number most marketers would kill for.
🟠 First-party data is the new gold – With third-party cookies on their deathbed, QR Codes offer a transparent way to understand customer behavior at each interaction level. 95% of businesses confirm QR Codes help collect valuable first-party data.
🟡 Customer journeys are evolving – 79% of businesses use dynamic QR Codes to deliver personalized, context-aware interactions instead of static, one-size-fits-all experiences.

Want to see the full picture?

The State of QR Codes 2025 Report is packed with insights on how businesses are using QR Codes to connect with customers.

Who did we survey?

The research behind this report isn’t based on guesswork. We surveyed 601 business leaders across industries:

Marketing Agencies: 5%

Consumer Packaged Goods: 3%

Healthcare and Hospitals: 19%

Pharmaceutical: 3%

Financial Services: 10%

Retail: 25%

Hospitality: 7%

Food and Beverage: 10%

Manufacturing: 18%

More than half of respondents work in companies with over 1,000 employees, and nearly a quarter represent businesses making over $100M in revenue.

Why QR Codes matter for customer engagement

A QR scan represents a deliberate action. It’s not a passive click—it’s not someone mindlessly clicking an ad or scrolling past a post.

This is why QR-initiated journeys have an average CTR of 37%—a much higher engagement rate than standalone campaigns or channels.

The role of first-party data

In the world of customer data, first-party insights are becoming essential. As third-party tracking becomes less reliable, businesses are turning to first-party data to gather important, permission-based data directly from consumers.

The State of QR Codes 2025 report finds that 95% of businesses gather valuable first-party data through QR Codes (we don’t mean personally identifiable information but scan data). This isn’t just about tracking consumers—it’s about understanding customer behavior to benefit both the customer and the business.

How QR Codes add value to businesses

QR Codes are no longer just a way to share links—they’re a way to create value. One of the most significant benefits of QR Codes is how they allow businesses to scale touchpoints without adding extra resources.

Industry	How businesses use QR Codes
Marketing	Product engagement through QR Codes on advertisements and packaging.
Retail	Providing product information and promotions via QR Codes in-store.
Logistics	Inventory management and tracking using QR Codes on products and shipments.
Healthcare	Accessing patient information and medical records through QR Codes.
Transportation	Ticketing and payment systems utilizing QR Codes for seamless travel experiences.
Education	Enhancing learning materials with QR Codes linking to additional resources.
Event Management	Streamlining event registration and ticketing processes using QR Codes.
Government	Providing public information and services through QR Codes on official documents and signage.
Hospitality	Offering contactless menus and reservations via QR Codes in restaurants and hotels.
Entertainment	Delivering interactive content and experiences through QR Codes at events and venues.

Companies can engage more customers by turning every product, package, and surface into a point of interaction. It’s an efficient way to boost growth and improve the customer experience.

The ‘phygital’ shift: blending the physical and digital

In 2025, customers are constantly moving between the physical and digital worlds. QR Codes are the bridge that allows businesses to meet customers where they are—whether in-store, at an event, or in their own homes. By embedding QR Codes into physical touchpoints, businesses can connect with customers at the moment they’re ready to engage.

The best QR experiences don’t just send people somewhere—they give them exactly what they need, when they need it.

Is your business ready for QR Codes in 2025?

QR Codes are here to stay, and businesses that implement them strategically will thrive. As QR Codes become an even more important part of business infrastructure, it’s time to think beyond static codes and start exploring dynamic, personalized experiences.

The question is: Are you using QR Codes in a way that’s meaningful to your customers?

Find out more in the State of QR Codes 2025 report. It’s packed with insights, trends, and strategies that can help you use QR Codes more effectively in your business.

Author Details

Ektha S

Senior Content Marketer , Uniqode

Ektha is a QR code expert with years of research and analysis into the evolution of QR codes. Having written over 70 in-depth articles on QR technology, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of how QR codes are transforming industries. Her insights, including The State of QR Report, have been featured in leading publications. With a passion for simplifying complex topics and providing actionable strategies, Ektha helps businesses leverage QR codes to enhance their ‘phygital’ connections.

ektha.s@uniqode.com