QR codes have been around for a long time. Those digitized squares were invented in 1994, and for years their use was mostly limited to industrial inventory management. But in the past few years, and especially since the pandemic, they’ve made a serious comeback. Thanks to smartphones, digital wallets, and changing consumer behavior, QR codes have gone from a clunky novelty to a crucial piece of tech.
One of the most important areas where QR codes have hit the scene is in payments, providing a seamless, secure, and highly convenient method for both consumers and merchants to complete transactions quickly and safely.
Unlike others who waited to follow the trend, COCARD was ahead of the curve, making this tech available to our merchants and the customers who want them.
Scan, Swipe, Tap: A Million Ways to Pay
A Friction-Free Payment Experience
Along with several other digital solutions, QR codes took off during the pandemic. This nifty tech gave merchants and customers the ability to pay quickly and hygienically. Like many other consumer trends that took off after 2020, the payment tech has stuck around because people like it!
QR code payments are simple, fast, and flexible. Customers either scan a code displayed by the merchant or have the merchant scan a code on their phone. That scan triggers a secure, direct payment from one device to another—no physical card or cash required.
This contact-free method soared during the pandemic, but its benefits have kept it growing: quick checkout, lower hardware costs, and full compatibility with mobile wallets and P2P platforms. From coffee shops to service providers, QR-based payment has become a fixture in modern commerce.
Why It Works for Businesses
First and foremost, merchants love QR code payments because many of their customers do. They provide another payment channel that’s convenient, secure, and increasingly familiar, especially to younger consumers.
Merchants also love the payment functionality because it lowers the cost of entry for payment solutions. There’s no need for expensive hardware or complex integrations. QR codes can be printed, embedded in receipts, or even displayed on a screen. It’s an instant way to meet customers where they are: on their phones.
For customers, QR payments are quick and familiar. They’ve used them to access menus, claim discounts, or check in at events—now they’re just paying the same way. The barrier to use is low, the experience is smooth, and the security is built-in.
Flexible, Scalable, and Secure
QR code payments also align perfectly with our core values: flexibility, simplicity, and merchant empowerment. Whether you’re a small vendor or a growing franchise, our systems make it easy to offer QR code options that connect directly with customer wallets and bank apps, without sacrificing transaction speed or security.
And just like with any COCARD solution, the data and reporting behind every transaction is clear, trackable, and customizable. You get more than just a payment—you get insights into what works for your customers.
COCARD’s Early Entry
COCARD saw the writing on the wall. Before the pandemic even hit, we were rolling out QR code functionality. We recognized that the option was empowering for businesses with more basic infrastructure or a digital storefront, and that it offered a secure, convenient, and fun way to pay.
Of course, we couldn’t predict that the pandemic would spur such a takeoff for the tech, but when it did, we already had it rolled out. While many payment processors were scrambling to adapt to QR integration, COCARD was already there.
This meant that during COVID, our merchants could pivot faster. And today, they’re set up to serve a growing segment of mobile-first shoppers who prefer to scan and go. Today, what began as a new frontier has become established terrain for our merchants and a major selling point for our members.
The Bottom Line
QR codes aren’t just here to stay—they’re an essential part of any payment suite in 2025. Businesses that want to future-proof their payment experience should take notice.
At COCARD, we’re proud to have once again been ahead of the curve. But more importantly, we’re here to help our merchants stay there. From intuitive POS systems to modern integrations, we make sure our partners can adapt quickly and serve their customers well, no matter how they choose to pay.
Get in touch today to supercharge your payment suite!