How to Use QR Codes to Plan and Run a Successful Black Friday & Cyber Monday Campaign

Every November, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales (BFCM) act as the ultimate performance test for businesses. For many brands, these few days account for a large share of annual sales and customer acquisition.

In 2024, U.S. consumers spent $10.8 billion online on Black Friday and $13.3 billion on Cyber Monday, breaking all previous records. And 2025 is expected to go even bigger, with projected online holiday sales reaching $253.4 billion, according to Adobe.

It’s clear. BFCM isn’t just an event. It’s a growth accelerator for brands that plan and execute with intent. Yet in a crowded, high-expectation marketplace, winning requires campaigns that are not only data-driven and seamless but also deeply customer-centric. That’s where QR codes come in as they drive instant engagement, connect every touchpoint, and turn casual browsers into high-intent buyers.

Here’s how businesses can use QR codes to design winning BFCM-focused campaigns that drive measurable ROI. Let’s dive in.

What Your Customers Want from BFCM 2025?

Today’s shoppers have changed. They’re informed, impatient, and mobile-first. They expect instant rewards, personalized experiences, and effortless checkout.

A recent QRCodeChimp survey showed that customers respond best to brands that:

• Deliver quick, one-tap access to offers and product details.
• Use interactive formats, like contests or gamified scanning.
• Offer value that feels exclusive, not generic.

To meet those expectations, businesses must align every campaign element, from in-store displays to digital ads, to reduce friction and increase relevance.

Planning Your BFCM Campaign: From Strategy to Execution

To stand out in the BFCM noise, brands need more than flashy discounts. They need a structured plan built around the following three pillars:

• Clarity: Define what you want your campaign to achieve; whether it’s sales, leads, or long-term loyalty.
• Consistency: Ensure your messaging and visuals are uniform across all platforms – print, web, and social.
• Conversion: Make every touchpoint actionable.

Before diving into tools and tactics, it’s crucial to build a strong campaign foundation. Every successful BFCM effort begins with thoughtful planning and agile execution.

1. Plan Ahead

Start early. Identify your key products, map customer journeys, and design assets that guide buyers from awareness to purchase in as few steps as possible.

2. Connect the Dots

Shoppers might discover you in-store, on Instagram, or through an email. A cohesive campaign bridges all those channels. And, QR codes are perfect for that.

3. Stay Flexible

During BFCM, conditions change fast. Dynamic campaigns that allow edits or offer changes without reprints will help you stay relevant throughout the sale period.

How QR Codes Simplify BFCM Execution

Fast and measurable, mobile-first QR codes turn static marketing into actionable experiences. They help bridge the gap between physical and digital touchpoints, whether that’s an ad, a flyer, or product packaging. QR codes enable businesses to:

• Engage instantly: Customers scan and act without typing or searching.
• Track behavior: Measure scan rates, location, and device types in real time.
• Adapt dynamically: Update links or content at any time, even after printing.
• Personalize at scale: Deliver localized or time-specific offers.

As Forbes aptly noted, QR codes have evolved “from novelty to necessity.”

Insights from QRCodeChimp’s 2025 User Survey

Ahead of the holiday season, QRCodeChimp surveyed its users to understand how businesses plan to use QR codes for BFCM 2025. The findings confirm the growing role of QR-powered marketing:

• 80% of businesses plan to run BFCM promotions this year.
• Nearly 90% are exploring or already using QR codes to enhance engagement.
• Their top goals: driving instant sales, capturing leads, and building loyalty.

In short, brands are recognizing that QR codes are not just a campaign feature. They’re a growth enabler for omnichannel marketing.

QRCodeChimp Solutions for Your BFCM Campaign

Once your BFCM strategy is in place, the next step is crafting experiences that feel effortless for your customers. Here’s how QR codes can elevate every touchpoint of their shopping journey:

1. Redeem Instant Discounts

Coupon QR Codes let shoppers instantly unlock deals like “Scan to Get 50% Off.” Pair them with Dynamic URL QR Codes that direct to landing pages you can edit anytime. Ideal for flash sales and in-store promotions.

2. Run Giveaways or Contests

Use Form QR Codes to let customers join sweepstakes or loyalty raffles. Gamify engagement with “Scan & Win” campaigns, great for driving dwell time and brand recall.

3. Enable Easy Access to Product Details & Media

Landing Page and Product QR Codes guide users to videos, reviews, or how-to demos instantly. Perfect for “Scan to Learn More” or “Scan to Watch Demo” experiences.

4. Build VIP Lists and Early Access Groups

Form QR Codes make sign-ups seamless. Collect customer details and sync leads directly with your CRM. Offer exclusive early access or limited drops.

5. Strengthen Social Engagement

Social Media QR Codes combine all your profiles into a single hub; ideal for “Follow & Win” campaigns and influencer collaborations.

6. Enable Instant Checkout

Payment QR Codes support UPI, PayPal, and Stripe. They make pop-up checkouts faster and reduce wait times.

7. Encourage Reviews & Retention

Feedback QR Codes on receipts or packaging encourage real-time reviews, while repeat buyers can be rewarded using Coupon QR Codes for future purchases.

8. Enhance Customer Experience

Multi-URL QR Codes adapt based on time or location, while PDF QR Codes can host catalogs or gift guides. These elevate your customer journey from transactional to experiential.

Best Practices for QR-Powered Campaigns

Use dynamic QR codes: Edit offers without reprinting.

• Design for visibility: High contrast, clear borders, and white space matter.

• Always include a CTA: “Scan to Unlock Offer” performs better than plain codes.

• Test before launch: Verify scanning works across all devices.

• Monitor analytics: Use real-time data to optimize creatives mid-campaign.

• Optimize for mobile: Quick load times and clean design improve conversions.

The Future of QR Marketing

As technology and consumer behavior evolve, QR campaigns are set to become more intelligent, immersive, and predictive. Here are a few possibilities:

• AI-Adaptive Campaigns: QR scans could trigger AI systems that instantly personalize offers, messages, or visuals based on individual behavior, purchase history, and even sentiment detected through device interactions.

• AR-Powered Shopping Journeys: Beyond simple previews, QR codes may unlock full mixed-reality storefronts, where users “walk” through virtual aisles, view product scale and fit, and check out without leaving the experience.

• Predictive Retargeting: Instead of generic remarketing, post-scan analytics will anticipate intent, serving pre-emptive offers before customers even search again.

• Connected Packaging Ecosystems: Smart product packaging embedded with dynamic QR layers will update in real time to reflect sustainability scores, live inventory, or recycling instructions, creating living, evolving touchpoints.

• Blockchain-Verified Authenticity: In sectors like fashion, art, and pharmaceuticals, QR codes will verify provenance and ownership on-chain, merging transparency with traceability.

• Voice-Activated QR Journeys: Future devices may enable “scan and speak” interactions, allowing customers to scan and use voice to customize colors, sizes, or bundles instantly.

In Summary

Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales reward brands that combine speed, personalization, and measurable impact. QR codes deliver on all three, bridging the gap between discovery and conversion.

When used strategically, they help businesses:

• Turn every touchpoint into a shoppable experience.
• Use real-time analytics to optimize decisions.
• Scale campaigns efficiently, even with small teams.

This season, the brands that win will be those that meet shoppers where they already are – on their phones, ready to scan, shop, and share.