ONDC Unveils Interoperable QR Code to Boost E-Commerce

New Delhi, July 31 (KNN) In a groundbreaking development that aims to transform the digital trade landscape, the Open Network for Digital Trade (ONDC), an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has introduced an innovative interoperable QR code.

This announcement is a significant step in ONDC’s mission to democratize e-commerce and make it accessible to every merchant, from local artisans to neighborhood grocers.

ONDC unveiled QR Code Tuesday in its ongoing alpha phase. The tool lets merchants create a unique QR code that customers can scan using any ONDC-registered shopper app.

Following initial testing, the QR code is set to be rolled out across the entire ONDC network, heralding a radical change in the way digital transactions are conducted.

T Koshy, Managing Director and CEO of ONDC, highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “Now every retailer has the ability to reach customers digitally, just like the e-commerce giants. This is a huge step towards an open, inclusive and democratized digital marketplace.”

The new QR code system gives retailers unprecedented flexibility. They can display their unique QR codes on storefronts, products, marketing materials, or social media platforms. This enables an immediate connection with customers, whether they encounter the code in a physical store or through online channels.

For consumers, the QR code introduces a new level of convenience. Scanning the code with any QR scanner app or ONDC Buyer app connects them directly to the merchant’s online store through their preferred buyer app. This seamless integration bridges the gap between offline and online shopping experiences, increasing accessibility and customer engagement.

This initiative is an important milestone in ONDC’s efforts to create a more inclusive and dynamic e-commerce environment that enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual sellers to compete on an equal footing with larger e-commerce platforms.

(KNN Office)