Shopping malls aren’t just about shopping anymore. They’re destinations for dining, entertainment, and connection. Places where the retail experience is as much about what happens outside the stores as inside them.
That’s why mall-wide marketing matters. It’s what helps turn foot traffic into lasting customer engagement.
QR Codes give shopping malls a flexible, low-tech way to connect a traditionally in-person experience with digital content. From interactive directories to event calendars and giveaways, they’re an easy tool for reaching shoppers in real time and adding value throughout their visit.
Here are seven creative ways your mall can use QR Codes to make every visit more memorable.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
1. Create a mobile-friendly directory
Many malls already have physical maps and directories posted throughout the property. But with Quick Response (QR) Codes, you can make that information even more accessible for shoppers.
By adding QR Codes to signage near entrances, escalators, or other high-traffic areas, visitors can quickly pull up a digital map or directory on their phone. No more detours to find the nearest map every time they’re searching for a specific retail store. Once they scan the code, they’ll have the information handy as they move throughout the mall.
2. Share an events calendar
Events are a great way to draw local shoppers in and create a sense of community at the mall. From Santa meet-and-greets during the holiday season to live concert series in the summer, there’s no shortage of opportunities to make your mall feel like more than just a shopping destination.
Malls can also partner with individual retailers to host exclusive in-store experiences. Think beauty retailers offering complimentary styling sessions or sports retailers hosting athlete meet-and-greets.
QR Codes are an easy, effective way to promote these upcoming events. Link each code to a digital event calendar and display them on signage throughout the mall. Include important details like dates, times, locations, and ticket information so shoppers can plan their visit with a quick scan.
3. Build a social media following
Social media plays a key role in retail marketing, and it’s a powerful way for shopping malls to stay connected with customers beyond their visit.
Use QR Codes to link directly to your mall’s social media accounts, making it simple for in-store shoppers to follow you on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. You can display these codes on signage around the mall to promote special events, new openings, or exclusive social content shoppers won’t want to miss.
4. Spotlight new store openings
Shopping mall occupancy rates have been steadily climbing in recent years, with new stores opening to meet growing customer demand. In fact, top-tier malls reached a 95.1% occupancy rate in 2022—a strong sign that shopper interest in brick-and-mortar retail remains high.
QR Codes are a simple way to build buzz around your newest retail store openings. Place them in storefront windows or other high-visibility areas, linking shoppers to a landing page with details like opening dates, hours, special offers, exclusive discounts, and a link to the retailer’s website.
5. Sell ad space
For well-trafficked malls, selling physical ad space can be a valuable revenue stream. One of the most creative use cases for QR Codes is promoting available ad space right inside the mall.
Interested ad buyers don’t always know where to start. A dedicated QR Code makes the process much more straightforward. Simply post a code in empty ad spaces that link to an online advertising portal. Strong messaging like “Can you see your ad here? Scan to learn more!” provides helpful context and encourages action.
You can also add these codes on other physical marketing materials, like billboards or flyers around town, to expand your reach.
On your advertising portal, be sure to include ad pricing, contact information, and phone numbers for your marketing team. You might also highlight foot traffic data near the ad space to help potential advertisers estimate their impressions.
6. Host contests and giveaways
Hosting contests, giveaways, and other limited-time promotions is an effective way to increase shopper participation and create memorable customer experiences.
With QR Codes, entering these contests is easy—all it takes is a simple scan with a smartphone camera. Place QR Codes throughout the mall to promote current giveaways, offer instant entries, or share prize details.
You can also combine codes with other marketing strategies, like SMS geofencing for retailers or loyalty programs, to create even more interactive experiences that drive shopper engagement.
7. Promote sustainability
Today’s shoppers care deeply about sustainability and their impact on the planet. In fact, 78% of U.S. consumers say living a sustainable lifestyle is important to them.
If your mall is investing in green initiatives, like recycling programs, solar energy panels, or energy-efficient appliances, QR Codes can help share that story. Shoppers want to know what you’re doing to reduce your environmental impact, and QR Codes make it simple to highlight those efforts.
Place codes in restrooms, near escalators, and in the food court, linking to a sustainability landing page. This page is a perfect place to share updates, showcase eco-friendly upgrades, and reinforce your mall’s commitment to sustainability.
Why use QR Codes?
QR Codes are a simple, cost-effective way to enhance the in-store shopping experience with digital content. Here’s what makes them such a powerful tool for shopping mall marketing.
Ease of use
Creating and scanning QR Codes couldn’t be easier. For shoppers, it’s as simple as opening their smartphone camera and pointing it at the code. And for marketers, tools like Bitly’s QR Code generator make setup quick and intuitive. Just enter your destination URL, customize your design, and download the code in minutes.
In fact, 68% of consumers used QR Codes at least once between September 2023 and September 2024—proof that shoppers already know exactly what to do.
Versatility
With QR Codes, you can give shoppers instant access to nearly any type of media, turning physical signage into an easy gateway to digital content.
Whether you want to link to a website, social media profile, app download, PDF, or even add an event directly to a shopper’s iPhone calendar, QR Codes make it possible. This versatility makes incorporating these scannable links into your marketing strategy simple and effective.
No matter what type of content you want to share with your audience, QR Codes offer an easy omnichannel solution.
Analytics
One of the biggest advantages of using QR Codes is that they’re trackable—especially with Bitly Analytics.
With Bitly, you can monitor QR Code scans in real time and gain valuable insights into shopper behavior. This allows you to understand what’s working, optimize your marketing strategy, and prove the impact of your efforts.
Bitly Analytics provides data like:
- Total QR Code scans
- Scans over time (days, weeks, or months)
- Location of scans (city and country depending on your plan)
- Device and browser used
- Top-performing QR Codes across your campaigns
- Referrers (where the scan originated)
This real-time data is especially valuable in the retail industry, where shopper behavior changes quickly and marketing strategies need to stay agile. It helps you learn when and where shoppers are most likely to scan, and gives you the flexibility to adjust your messaging or placement for even better results.
How to create a QR Code for mall advertising
Creating a QR Code for your mall’s marketing campaign is simple with the right tools. Here’s how to get started.
Get started with a user-friendly QR Code generator
Bitly’s QR Code solution makes it quick and easy to create Dynamic QR Codes—no technical experience required. All you have to do is enter the URL you want your code to link to, customize the design, and download it in the format that works best for your signage.
With Bitly Codes, you also get built-in analytics, customizable designs, and flexible QR Code management—all in one platform. You can track QR Code performance in real time with Bitly Analytics, helping you measure engagement and optimize your campaigns.
Create Dynamic QR Codes
All Bitly Codes are Dynamic by default, giving you more flexibility without extra effort. Dynamic QR Codes let you change the linked URL anytime without needing to print new signage or materials.
This is particularly useful for malls running seasonal campaigns or frequently updating event calendars. Just update the link behind your Bitly Code, and it stays current, no matter when or where it’s printed.
Dynamic QR Codes help save time, reduce costs, and keep your marketing content fresh.
Customize QR Code designs
Bitly gives you plenty of ways to design retail-friendly QR Codes that align with your mall’s brand identity. You can customize the color, pattern, shape, and border, and even add your logo for extra brand recognition. Adding a clear, compelling call to action (CTA) also helps shoppers understand what to expect when scanning the code.
Customizing your QR Codes not only helps them stand out on signage but also builds shopper trust and creates a more polished customer experience.
Need ideas? Check out Bitly’s retail QR Code inspiration gallery for creative ways to style your codes and elevate your signage.
Strengthen your shopping mall marketing campaigns with Bitly
Shopping malls rely heavily on signage to guide, inform, and connect with customers—from directories and event posters to storefront displays and wayfinding. But with QR Codes, these physical marketing materials can do even more, turning every print piece into a direct link to digital content.
Whether it’s pulling up a mobile-friendly map, entering a giveaway, or following your mall on social media, Bitly Codes give shoppers instant access to the information they care about—right from their smartphones.
And for mall marketers, Bitly provides everything you need to manage QR Codes at scale. Dynamic QR Codes give you the flexibility to update links anytime, while built-in analytics help you track scans, measure customer engagement, and optimize your strategy.
Ready to power up your mall’s marketing campaigns? Sign up for Bitly today to create custom QR Codes and connect every touchpoint to digital content.
