New Mobile Merchandising Platform From Qliktag Boosts In-Store Sales, Brand Affinity With Smartphone Shoppers

First Mobile Merchandising Solution With Individual Product Promotion; Quick, Easy Activation Via iBeacon, NFC, Standard Barcode or QR Code

Newport Beach, CA (Marketwired) - Building a bridge between brick and mortar stores and the digital world, Qliktag Software Inc. today announced the launch of its Qliktag in-store mobile merchandising platform -- which enables brands and retailers to engage with customers in-store as they shop. The Qliktag platform allows businesses to create unique mobile experiences and promotions for each individual product or SKU. Consumers access these promotions and product information by using their smartphone to connect using standard barcodes, QR code labels, NFC, Bluetooth or iBeacons.

Smartphones are Going Shopping
Research by the NPD Group points to mobile device usage while shopping in brick and mortar stores as a growing trend: nearly 70 percent of consumers now use mobile devices while shopping. Brand marketers and retailers are looking for effective mobile marketing strategies that can tap into this increasingly popular medium -- and are faced with the challenge of bridging brick and mortar retail locations with the digital world. Mobile technologies such as QR codes, proximity based iBeacon by Apple, NFC and Bluetooth enable interaction with products on a shelf or in-store through smartphones. Qliktag'sQ*Engine web platform can now be used to upload product data from virtually any inventory management, POS or product catalog, and design unique promotions for each. The platform stores product information, video, custom forms, promotions, coupons, social media features and more using a simple drag and drop interface. With technology savvy consumers using smartphones for showrooming, price comparisons, product research, social media sharing, purchase opinions and more, Qliktag empowers traditional retailers and brands with the technology to connect with smartphone enabled consumers.

"With Qliktag, we're offering retailers and brands a means to connect and engage using smart mobile technologies. Essentially, we are blending the online experience with the in-store experience and increasing sell through rates," explained Dilip Daswani, CEO of Qliktag Software.

"While our platform supports numerous activation technologies, we believe QR codes will continue to play a part in mobile merchandising," noted Daswani. "QR codes are not new to the retail industry but their potential has barely been tapped due to implementation limitations which make it difficult to deploy and customize for a large number of products or SKUs. Qliktag has the ability to generate thousands of QR codes and unique promotions on the individual product level so the customer gets a different experience for each item rather than just a single brand level promotion which is how QR codes have been traditionally used."

A Smarter, More Engaging Customer Experience
Since its beta release at the end of 2013, a number of early customers have leveraged Qliktag to activate mobile engagement in creative ways. Surf City Nissan, a leading Nissan car dealership in Huntington Beach, Calif., used Qliktag to create an interactive sales experience within their showroom and offer specific car details and information on a QR code placed on each car. This enabled dealers to pull up additional details on the car they were standing in front of with the buyer using their smartphones -- aiding sales and making the buying experience more informative.

Butcher's Beer, a craft beer brewery, recently implemented a mobile activation for their patrons using Qliktag, which resulted in customers being able to learn more about the brews they were sampling. When customers scanned the QR code for a particular beer, they were directed to a mobile page which highlighted insights into the beer they were drinking including ingredients, tasting notes and interesting facts. Users could also share the page for the brew on their Facebook and Twitter accounts with a single click, generating social media buzz for Butcher's and enhancing the drinking experience for their customers.

Q*Engine Designed to Fuel Commerce
Qliktag's new Q*Engine is a cloud based mobile engagement platform. The software can be deployed in a wide range of sectors from retail, automotive, beverage, services or other markets that seek to leverage mobile devices to provide an interactive experience that promotes sales and positive customer relations. Daswani sums it up, commenting, "We're in the business of closing the loop and building a bridge between in-store and online. It's the best of both worlds."

About Qliktag Software
Qliktag Software Inc. is an innovator of mobile software solutions that bridge the gap between brands and buyers -- fostering stronger relationships and more personalized connections between the two. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, Qliktag's cloud based software platform allows brands and retailers to design and set up interactive mobile experiences on location -- connecting with and engaging customers - while gathering valuable insights.