When I read that the Rugby Ralph Lauren store in Union Square New York City were using QR codes, I had to check it out myself. QR codes are basically barcodes that compatible phones can read and redirect to a website URL. The cool thing about this is that the barcode reader comes pre-installed with the latest Nokia phones like the Nokia N95 8GB I was carrying.

The only QR codes I found at the Rugby Ralph Lauren store were at their doors. It read:

We are pleased to present shopping right from your phone. visit m.rugby.com or scan our QR code to shop new styles and check out the news room, Rugby’s blog.

Scanning the barcode forwarded me to their online store in mobile format. You can add stuff to the cart and checkout directly from the phone. I guess it’s useful if you happen to pass by the store after business hours and see something that you wanted at the window.

If you want to see where the QR code takes you, click on the photo above to enlarge it and use use the scanner. According to Nokia, the Nokia N82, N93, N93i, N95, N95 8GB, E66, E71, E90 or 6220 Classic have the Nokia barcode reader preinstalled on your device.

I personally wouldn’t take my credit card out right there on the sidewalk at night, but maybe I’m not seeing the main purpose? I was hoping the store had QR codes inside that forwarded me directly to specific clothes. It should give me an option to save the cart where I can purchase later when I get home if they didn’t have my size at the store. That would have been more useful for me.

Do you think the QR codes implemented by the Rugby store is useful? Let me know in the comments below.