Sharat Potharaju, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Dynamic QR Codes and the Customer Data Revolution

2 weeks ago | modernmarketingtoday.com | Sharat Potharaju

Remember when QR codes were just black-and-white squares leading to basic website links? Now they’re at the center of modern marketing strategies, bridging tangible experiences with digital interactions. When shoppers scan a clothing tag QR code, they instantly access product details, sustainability information, and a personalized discount. The brand also benefits. It collects valuable insights about customer preferences and shopping patterns in return.
First-Party Data Gold: How 95% of Businesses Leverage QR Insights

2 weeks ago | customerthink.com | Sharat Potharaju

QR codes have evolved far beyond their original purpose. What started as inventory tracking tools now drives customer engagement across industries. The latest Uniqode State of QR Codes Report shows 95% of businesses use QR technology to gather first-party data directly from customer interactions. This matters tremendously as privacy regulations tighten and third-party tracking diminishes. Businesses need reliable ways to understand their customers. QR technology delivers more than just information.
How QR Codes Are Breaking Out of Their Black and White Box

1 month ago | martechseries.com | Sharat Potharaju |execution. Sharat

QR codes are on the cusp of their own vibrant evolution, much like black-and-white television giving way to color. While these familiar monochrome patterns remain functional, they’re increasingly out of place in today’s brand-conscious landscape. Since their creation in 1994, QR codes have evolved from inventory tools to essential bridges between physical and digital experiences. Yet most remain generic, failing to extend the brand identities they represent.
Influencia invisible: Cómo los códigos QR estratégicos están reconfigurando el comportamiento del consumidor

1 month ago | forbes.es | Sharat Potharaju |Baruc Corazón |Lucas Barcasnegras |Andres Rodriguez

La tecnología acelera nuestro mundo, permitiendo tiempos de entrega más rápidos, agilización de procesos y transacciones casi instantáneas. Al mismo tiempo, el consumidor actual está más interesado en comprar el artículo adecuado que en comprarlo rápidamente. El 60% de los compradores investigan seis o más aspectos del producto antes de comprar una nueva marca.
How QR Codes Are Reshaping Consumer Behavior

1 month ago | forbes.com | Sharat Potharaju

Sharat Potharaju is cofounder and CEO of Uniqode, whose vision is to enable digital connection with every physical object and place. Technology speeds up our world, enabling faster turnaround times, streamlined efforts and near-instant transactions. At the same time, today’s consumer is more interested in buying the right item than buying it quickly. Sixty percent of shoppers research six or more product aspects before buying from a new brand.
Restaurant Giants Declare War on Digital Chaos

1 month ago | modernrestaurantmanagement.com | Sharat Potharaju

It’s no secret that restaurants with more than one location depend on standardization to thrive. A customer in Miami should bite into the same perfectly seasoned burger that delights diners in Seattle. Reliable experiences build brand loyalty, and systemic processes lead to reliable profit margins. As chain restaurants continue to integrate new technologies into their daily operations, store-to-store standardization of these technologies is often an afterthought.
QR codes rewrite retail’s omnichannel playbook

2 months ago | customerthink.com | Sharat Potharaju

Every product has its own story, and QR codes are becoming the storytellers of retail. Once dismissed as clunky marketing gimmicks, these pixelated squares have made a dramatic comeback, fueled by seamless smartphone integration and pandemic-driven demand for touchless interactions. Shoppers can now instantly access a wealth of information with a simple smartphone scan — and many consumers are embracing this technology.
Cracking the (QR) Code on the Future of Product Packaging

Feb 7, 2025 | customerthink.com | Sharat Potharaju

The traditional barcode is evolving, trading its stripes for a more interactive digital experience. By 2027, GS1 — the organization behind our current barcode standards — will replace linear barcodes with enhanced QR codes that do much more than their predecessors.
Council Post: How QR Codes Help Bridge The Sustainability Information Gap

Feb 6, 2025 | forbes.com | Sharat Potharaju

Sharat Potharaju is co-founder and CEO of Uniqode, whose vision is to enable digital connection with every physical object and place. Shoppers staring at product labels frequently ask themselves, "Is this product actually sustainable?" While 68% of respondents from my company's 2024 consumer survey said that sustainability is moderately-to-very important for them when buying gifts, verifying environmental claims in the middle of a busy store is often frustratingly difficult.
The New Guardian Of Healthcare Data: QR Codes Bridge Security And Efficiency

Jan 1, 2025 | healthcarebusinesstoday.com | Sharat Potharaju

The healthcare IT market will surge to $707.7 billion by 2032, reflecting the industry’s accelerating shift toward digital solutions. Yet alongside this transformation, healthcare organizations logged a grim milestone: Data breaches reached record levels in 2023, exposing the personal information of 133 million individuals. While this digital expansion intensifies security risks, QR code technology stands out as a secure way to bridge the physical and digital worlds in healthcare.