I was surfing through this article and realized how M-Commerce is seeing a dawn in India.
“HomeShop18 has introduced a cutting edge Virtual Shopping Wall with Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd. (DIAL). The Virtual Wall ‘Scan N Shop’ offers premium merchandise to consumers at Terminal 3 (T3) domestic side of New Delhi’s IGI Airport (IGIA). The wall lets consumers view a large range of products like consumer electronics, mobiles, tablets, clothing, accessories, fashion jewellery, perfumes, etc. on dynamic screens.
Scan N Shop flyers will be able to order by simply scanning the QR code displayed against each item or over the phone at the call centre. HomeShop18 has also enabled the convenient cash on delivery payment method to drive trials and will follow it up with mobile payments subsequently.
Sundeep Malhotra, Founder & CEO, HomeShop18 explains, “With the Virtual Shopping Wall, HomeShop18 embarks on the next major journey into mobile-commerce (M commerce). By bringing M-commerce to India, HomeShop18 is taking the convergence of mobile and retail to a new high. The idea behind ‘Scan N Shop’ is to enable tech-savvy, smart-phone and tablet users to experience a smart new way of shopping. In DIAL, we have found a true innovator as a partner. T3 is a marvellous lifestyle destination and ‘Scan N Shop’ couldn’t have found a better location.”
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While I appreciate the concept and the ease it brings to consumers, a thought struck my mind: Can this help reinvigorate QR codes ? I mean, with all the hullabaloo that the advent of QR codes had created, they haven’t quite managed to deliver the promise. To me the reason is simple: It adds an unnecessary layer between a consumer and a product necessiating the need to have a smart phone with a QR code scanner installed. Add to it the fact that just by looking at 2 differnet QRs you just can’t fathom what they point toward.
Now that M-Commerce is the next “in” thing, do QR codes have a last chance of redemption ? Or will they flatter to deceive again ? I believe the latter is closer to reality. Commoditization of knowledge, more intelligent Operating Systems in smart phones and path breaking research in Mobile Visual Search (MVS) will lead us to an era where our phones can directly “talk” to the products sans any mediation.
While that would be an extremely exciting time for M-Commerce, poor QR Codes may fade into forlorn anonymity. While this is my take on the alliance, I would love the views, opinions of the group.
Thanks,
Praful