Online and offline business presences are increasingly merging together and Google just launched a new service called Favourite Places that uses QR codes to help business make the online offline transition easier for their customers.
Google identified more than 100,000 local businesses in the US that are searched for most often and each one received a window decal from Google featuring a scannable QR code. Customers can scan that code with any of hundreds of mobile devices and be taken directly to that business's place page on their mobile phone where they can then find more information and download coupons as well as rate and review the business.
Visit the below page to find out more about Google Favourite Places
http://www.google.com/favoriteplaces
Not sure yet what kind of stats will be available to businesses but knowing Google that won't be far behind. Given most retailer with online presences are probably struggling to determine the impact of their online activities on real world sales the Google numbers will be a welcome addition to metrics such as phone calls to unique website numbers, downloaded store coupons or store locator searches.
