Win Over Holiday Shoppers By Promoting Loyalty Programs with QR Codes

The holiday shopping season is here—a prime opportunity for brands to boost sales and connect with eager shoppers. With stores buzzing and customers hunting for the perfect gifts, the challenge lies in standing out while keeping the shopping experience convenient and enjoyable. 

Businesses are meeting this challenge by enhancing their marketing strategies with QR Codes for seasonal sales, which redefine customer engagement and strengthen long-term relationships. A standout example is using QR Codes in loyalty programs. 

These initiatives encourage participation and promote repeat business by showing customers they’re valued. With a quick scan, shoppers can earn rewards, access exclusive deals, and feel appreciated with every purchase. 

Read on to learn how you can transform your loyalty program through QR Codes this holiday season. 

Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.

The holiday season’s impact on retail shopping

Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and general holiday gift shopping, customers are eager to take advantage of big deals and discounted pricing, making the holidays a prime time for retailers.

For businesses, this isn’t the season to relax or leave things to chance. Beyond increasing profits, the holidays present an opportunity to attract new customers and build lasting loyalty.

But how can you make the most of it? 

Start with irresistible discounts, bundled products or services, and limited-time offers to create a sense of urgency. Even better, combine all three strategies—62% of consumers are willing to choose a more affordable brand over their usual preference when it helps them save.

Once you make a great first impression with rewards, savings, or convenience, customers are more likely to return after the holiday rush. By building relationships during this busy time, you set the stage for long-term success, as loyal customers are also more likely to spread the word about your brand. 

Why rewards programs are a priority for holiday retail

The holiday season brings an influx of customer traffic—both in-store and online—making it a prime time to attract new business. With so many people looking to save money, it’s a golden opportunity to capture their attention. One effective way to do this is through rewards programs. 

In fact, a 2024 study by Snappy revealed that 70% of customers are more likely to choose brands with a loyalty program. But the benefits of offering points, rewards, and exclusive deals go far beyond boosting short-term sales. Loyalty programs build stronger connections with customers, encouraging them to keep coming back even after the holiday frenzy ends. 

Here’s why rewards programs are so effective:

• Create brand advocates: Rewarding existing customers for referrals not only attracts new shoppers but also strengthens ties with your existing base. Happy customers are more likely to spread positive word-of-mouth about your brand, organically bringing in new business. 
  
  
• Strengthen customer relationships: A well-designed rewards program fosters customer retention by showing shoppers they’re appreciated, making them more likely to stick around. While the often-cited “fact” that it costs 5x more to acquire customers than retain them is up for debate—investing in long-term patronage is a smart move.  
  
  
• Increase customer lifetime value (CLV): A thoughtful loyalty rewards program can encourage visitors to shop more often and engage more deeply with your brand. By understanding customer preferences and offering meaningful rewards, you add value to their experience. 

Having a long-term mindset is critical for businesses that want to generate brand advocacy. Focus on developing value propositions that resonate with customers and keep them coming back for years to come. 

How to encourage loyalty program sign-ups with QR Codes

QR Codes aren’t just tech-savvy—they’re business-savvy, transforming how retailers connect customers and promote products. They’re a simple yet powerful tool that can take your loyalty and customer retention to new heights. Here’s how to get started:

How to create QR Codes

Creating a QR Code for your customer loyalty program doesn’t have to be a hassle. Just follow these five simple steps:

1. Establish a landing page for loyalty program sign-ups: Build a page where customers can easily access their points, explore exclusive offers, and manage their loyalty cards. Keep the design clean and user-friendly to encourage enrollment. A clunky or confusing page could discourage customers from completing the process.
   
   
2. Pick a reliable QR Code generator: Choose a tool that makes it easy to create QR Codes and ensures they’re effective. A reliable option like QR Code Generator PRO offers the features you need to create high-performing, streamlined codes.   
   
   
3. Generate your Dynamic QR Code and embed your landing page link: Dynamic QR Codes are ideal because they’re trackable, allowing you to monitor how your program performs and get insights to enhance future campaigns. They’re also editable, meaning you can update the linked destination as needed—perfect for evolving strategies.  
   
   
4. Test the QR Code: Don’t skip this step, no matter how trivial it seems. Always test your QR Code using different mobile devices (both iOS and Android) before publishing it. Make sure it loads quickly and takes users directly to the correct landing page. A seamless process is essential for a positive impression. 
   
   
5. Print or publish: Once your QR Code is tested, you’re ready to roll! Display it where it’s most likely to catch attention. Think marketing materials, product packaging, receipts, flyers, or even social media posts—anywhere your audience is likely to see and scan it.

How to spotlight loyalty program QR Codes

If your loyalty program QR Codes aren’t gaining traction, it might be because they’re not displayed where your target audience is looking. Sharing them strategically can significantly boost sign-ups.  

Here are some effective placements: 

• In-store signage: Use foot traffic to your advantage—place QR Codes in highly visible areas, such as checkout counters near your point-of-sale (POS) system, store entrances, or even near restrooms. These prime spots make it easy for shoppers to engage with your program during their visit.  
  
  
• Window displays: Engage passersby with eye-catching window displays. For instance, a bakery could feature a vibrant window display with a Registration QR Code and call-to-action (CTA) that reads, “Scan to join our rewards program—earn a free pastry!” This tactic not only increases enrollment but also invites people into the store.
  
  
• Email campaigns: If you have customer contact details, email is a great way to promote your customer loyalty program. Emails allow space to detail the rewards and benefits of joining. Personalize these messages by recommending products based on past purchases and include a clear CTA alongside the QR Code to drive registration.
  
  
• Social media posts: Share QR Codes across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. Social media QR Codes provide an excellent way to reach both offline and online shoppers, expanding your program’s reach.  
  
  
• Product packaging: Smart packaging QR Codes are ideal for engaging customers who’ve already purchased from you. With this method, the codes remain visible and accessible, giving customers a simple way to explore your loyalty program whenever they interact with your product.  
  
  
• Receipts: Add QR Codes to your receipts to introduce customers to your rewards program. Incentivize their participation by offering bonus points or rewards for future purchases. This is also a great place to use Feedback QR Codes to generate helpful reviews and customer insights.    

To maximize the impact of your QR Codes, consider where your target audience is most active. For instance, if you run a boutique clothing store, placing QR Codes on in-store signage or near fitting rooms could be an excellent way to encourage sign-ups while customers are actively engaged with your brand. 

Other ways to keep customers engaged with QR Codes

In addition to driving enrollment for customer loyalty programs, QR Codes offer countless ways for retailers to connect with shoppers. Here’s how you can make the most of them: 

Delight customers with coupons and special offers

During the holiday season, shoppers actively look for ways to save money, and coupons are a tried-and-true method to help them do just that. This year, consider implementing coupon marketing with QR Codes to deliver savings in a fresh and engaging way. 

Use QR Codes to share coupons or provide easy access to holiday sales, exciting member incentives, and exclusive deals. Unlike traditional text promo codes, Coupon QR Codes make it easy for customers to redeem discounts in-store. Plus, they go beyond standard barcodes by allowing you to share more information, such as your website, store locations, or exclusive offers. 

Consider sharing your coupon QR Codes through emails, SMS, or direct mail. Direct mail, in particular, provides a personal, tangible experience that can prompt them to interact with your brand.   

To understand how, when, and where your customer base interacts with these offers, track your QR Code scan metrics. Platforms like QR Code Generator PRO give you real-time insights into data points like total scans and scans by location (country/city), time of day, and device. 

You can also pair this scan data with tools like Google Analytics to get even more insights into customer engagement and the return on investment (ROI) of your marketing efforts, helping you make data-driven decisions for future campaigns.

Promote contests, giveaways, and other seasonal events

One of the most creative ways to amp up your marketing campaigns with QR Codes is by promoting giveaways, events, and contests. When done well, these activities are a fun and interactive way to boost brand awareness and customer engagement. Their appeal lies in their simplicity and the universal love for free rewards.  

Using giveaway contest QR Codes not only makes participation effortless but also sparks creativity. For instance, you can host a scavenger hunt where customers scan QR Codes to find clues, adding a competitive and entertaining edge to your campaign. 

If you’re an ecommerce brand, you might hide the codes around your website, while brick-and-mortar stores can use them to create an immersive in-store experience.

Enhance future customer experiences with better data

Let’s face it—wasting money on strategies that don’t work can be all too easy if you’re not tracking results. By monitoring your QR Codes, you can unlock valuable insights to fine-tune your marketing strategy and improve every customer’s interaction with your brand. 

If you’re wondering how to track QR Code scans, reliable QR Code generators combined with analytics platforms like Google Analytics make it simple. Every scan provides a wealth of metrics, including where customers are scanning from, what actions they take—such as making a purchase or signing up—and other details like device type, age, and gender.

The real power comes in using these key takeaways effectively. In other words, if you notice a high number of scans in a particular location, you can create targeted campaigns for that audience. You might offer location-specific promotions—for example, a clothing store in a beach town could promote swimwear to cater to local needs, adding a personal touch that drives sales. 

Keep your customers engaged with personalized QR Codes

The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to experiment with strategies for attracting new customers, increasing sales, and fostering lasting relationships. QR Codes provide a practical way to meaningfully connect with shoppers—whether by driving interactions, collecting key customer data, or strengthening brand loyalty to keep the momentum going into the new year.

With QR Code Generator PRO, you can create custom QR Codes that showcase your brand’s personality and track scan data to gain valuable insights into your audience’s interests and engagement. 

Plus, with Dynamic QR Codes, you gain the flexibility to edit links or promote different content during and after the holidays, ensuring your campaigns remain relevant and effective. This adaptability makes it simple to run time-sensitive promotions while keeping your marketing fresh.  

Sign up for QR Code Generator PRO to elevate your loyalty programs this holiday season!