Paytm Uses QR Codes to Connect Online, Offline

Paytm is expanding its use of QR codes to drive commerce at small retailers across India.

Earlier this week, the company announced it was opening up a channel for its small, local partner merchants. The program will enable them to sell products from its online Paytm Mall to customers who come into their stores.

Customers who walk into the partner store can scan a QR code to order a product online, which can then be delivered to them. They can pay using the Paytm mobile wallet, credit or debit cards, or cash on delivery.

The Paytm Mall program will enable these small merchants to earn income from the sale of additional products without carrying the inventory, Paytm said. The company is also touting the potential for the program to drive traffic into the merchants’ stores.

Merchants who place one of the Paytm Mall QR codes in their shop will earn a percentage of each transaction – between 3% and 20% depending on the product, the company said.

Initially, merchants will be able to sell Samsung smartphones through the program, but Paytm said that it plans to expand to include additional brands and products.

QR codes continue to play a significant role for Paytm and other companies in India as they look to broaden acceptance of electronic payments.

According to a report in the Deccan Herald last week, Paytm said that it is planning to add 2,000 agents to help onboard merchants, in support of its aggressive goal of onboarding a million merchants during 2017.

The company also announced to users this week that it has introduced a dedicated QR code scanning button on the its app, enabling users to scan any code, whether to make a purchase or simply access a web site.