But somehow QR codes are huge overseas. Or at least in Japan and Korea. The way Tesco (or Home Plus) does it is rather ingenious.
I like how they identify the problem of not being able to reach out to as many consumers as it’s rival; an online eshopping site. Additionally, that extra effort in market research and understanding the culture and lifestyle of it’s target audience really impressed me. At least now I know that unlike me, Koreans aren’t a huge fan of grocery shopping. I can be in a supermarket for hours.
Turning the waiting time to shopping fine was pure genius. We spend approximately half (or maybe even more) of our lives just waiting. And since the Koreans aren’t the type to want to waste time, this appeals to them and (for lack of a classier word) makes sense.
If one were to translate this to a Singaporean context, what if Giant or Sheng Siong wanted to kick NTUC out of the grocery shopping market. Unlike Koreans, there is still much of the older generation who don’t use smart phones and are also unclear as to how to use it. This would then appeal to the office drones so placing the shopping board if sorts would have to be strategic. Think the bus stops along the CBD stretch or Raffles Place MRT station.
Unrelated, I would like it if they did something similar to bookstores or even libraries. Pain in the ass to search for books and sometimes when you want them they’re all sold out or relocated or some idiot decide to reserve the book. The wall and it’s supporting/complementary application can book/reserve desired book and if that isn’t available, let you know and prompt you if you’d like to reserve it.
x-posted on TWB: http://thatwhichburns.posterous.com/waiting-time-to-shopping-time I have to be honest, I still don’t understand how QR codes work. I also don’t think they’re suitable for us in Singapore. Based on what little I know, Singaporeans can be a really lazy bunch and we dint want to have to take a photo it’s a code in order to get to a website. Wouldn’t it just be easier …