Logistics and shipping conglomerate FedEx is planning to introduce its QR (Quick Response) Pay solution for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in several Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets.
The company announced this week the rollout of QR Pay, allowing small businesses to make a mobile payment via their mobile wallet or credit cards when doing business with FedEx. The solution has been launched in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, though FedEx said it plans to expand the tool to additional APAC markets in the future.
Small businesses can scan the FedEx-provided QR code presented by couriers or on invoices. Scanning the code will automatically bring them to a payment page on which they can make the transaction.
QR Pay aims to augment additional online payment methods available to small business customers, including FedEx Billing Online. Reports in Enterprise Innovation on Wednesday (Nov. 7) pointed to FedEx Express research that found nearly three quarters of SMBs across the APAC region are already mobile payment users, with 69 percent expecting to increase their use of mobile payments in the next year. Nearly one-third of current non-users said they are likely to adopt mobile payments in the next year, too.
“FedEx is constantly looking for ways to innovate, [and] pioneer new solutions and offerings to address customers’ evolving needs in the region,” said FedEx Express President of Asia-Pacific Karen Reddington in a statement. “The introduction of QR Pay is an example of how FedEx is using technology to provide greater flexibility and convenience for our customers, and, ultimately, a better experience when it comes to managing their logistics needs.”
Last year, FedEx Business Insights released separate research that found rising optimism among SMBs with regard to cross-border trade. Nearly 90 percent of SMBs surveyed said they expect their global trade volumes to remain stable or increase moving forward.