Zello has launched QR Assist, a new capability that lets customers, vendors, and visitors request help from store teams with a simple QR code scan – no app or account required, designed for retail workflows.
With QR Assist, retailers can place scannable codes anywhere help might be needed – high-theft aisles, fitting rooms, pickup zones, service counters – and instantly link shoppers to associates on Zello. When someone scans a code and taps “Request Help,” a pre-recorded alert plays into the designated Zello channel, creating a help request that staff can see, accept, and act on in seconds.
Because QR Assist runs through a secure web page on the customer’s own phone, organisations avoid the cost and maintenance of dedicated kiosks or extra devices. Codes are generated in Zello’s Management Console, linked to specific channels and messages, and can be reprinted or repurposed as needs change – making it easy to experiment, iterate, and scale.
For retailers, QR Assist helps:
“Retailers are under pressure to cover more square footage with fewer people, without sacrificing service,” said VP of Product, Nayeli Cortina. “QR Assist gives them a flexible way to extend their teams without deploying more hardware. A simple code on a shelf, dock, or kiosk becomes a live connection to the right team on Zello.”
- Serve more customers per shift by letting employees and retail associates cover multiple zones instead of “standing guard” in one or patrolling through low-traffic areas.
- Reduce missed sales when shoppers can request help the moment they need it.
- Improve customer experience with clear confirmation that help is on the way.
- Increase labour efficiency without adding headcount or device fleets.
“Zello already powers instant voice for frontline teams,” Nayeli Cortina adds. “QR Assist is the next step: bringing customers, drivers, and visitors into the conversation in a way that’s simple for them and scalable for our customers. It’s about making every request easier to see, route, and resolve.”
