News

Canon introduces barcode-enhanced in-store experience

September 21, 2010

Knotice, a provider of direct digital marketing software and services, is helping Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, better engage shoppers throughout North America with an original mobile marketing program.

The Knotice-designed solution leverages the mobile Web and 2D barcode technology. Labels containing a Microsoft Tag 2D barcode are placed on select Canon products at leading retailers such as Best Buy and Staples. Consumers, or store associates, simply use a smartphone to scan a tag that launches a device-optimized mobile microsite. The site contains user-generated ratings and reviews, video product demonstrations, detailed product information, and more.

Rather than promote mobile Web solutions that create competition solely on price, Canon wants to keep shoppers in store by blending the research and purchase phases of the retail experience.

"The goal is to create a great shopping — and buying — experience at the retail level," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "We know consumers crave product details and information, and we want to prevent walk out in cases where consumers are seeking information in store but can't get it. Knotice was able to build, scale, and quickly deploy an effective solution that benefits Canon, our customers, and our retail partners."

Knotice said its retail mobile solution for Canon is effective, in part, because the entire solution can be in market throughout North America in as few as two weeks — literally in the time it takes to print and deploy the labels containing the Microsoft Tag.