H.I.S. jeans is making it easy for shoppers to pay for online purchases by scanning a QR code with their smartphone.

The jeans brand, which is sold primarily in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland, is leveraging mobile payments to simplify purchasing from its his-jeans.de Web site. The new functionality is being offered in partnership with Yapital, a cross-channel payment system.

“From our perspective, the increasing use of smartphones and tablets demand that companies use this technology for their own trading purposes,” said Nils Winkler, chairman of the board of Yapital, Luxembourg. “Today, it is no longer enough to offer customers only pure online payment capabilities paying by credit card or direct debit.

“Both dealers and customers ask for an uncomplicated application, providing secure, guaranteed transactions, cost control and documentation,” he said. “Furthermore this application should be usable practically anywhere.

“A comprehensive cross-channel payment solution such as Yapital is exactly this solution. It can be easily adapted to any existing infrastructure and provides maximum transparency: no complicated installation, no fixed monthly fee, no contract term.”

Yapital is a European cashless cross-channel payment solution available in stores and via mobile and online. Consumers can register online and immediately be able to make payments as well as send and receive money.

Yapital and H.I.S. Textil GmbH are both part of the Otto-Group, which is a large mail order and e-commerce company mainly based in Germany and France.

Global standard
Shoppers can pay for online purchases via mobile by first downloading the Yapital mobile application and then scanning a QR code that appears on the screen of the device they are shopping from.

Alternatively, shoppers can enter their Yapital user name and password to pay.

While mobile payments are growing, the pace of growth has been slow.

Part of the problem is that the number of smartphones in users’ hands with NFC capabilities, which many consider to have the strongest potential for payments, is still relatively low.

However, any smartphone can scan a QR code, meaning QR-code enabled payments can reach a much broader group of consumers right now.

“With QR code readers being built into the phones, and the number of companies that offer QR code readers, this method of engagement for consumers to quickly access the mobile Web for mobile payments, mobile sites, app downloads, social engagements, etc. is becoming a standard that is accepted by consumers globally,” said Marci Troutman, CEO of Siteminis, Atlanta.

“For H.I.S. to leverage this method of engagement makes complete sense as an ease of use for quick access to their payment portal,” she said.

Payments evolve
H.I.S. is one of a growing number of merchants leveraging QR codes for payments.

For example, Dick Smith Electronics is rolling out a QR code-centered mobile commerce system enabling shoppers to scan a mobile bar code in order to buy an item immediately within the store’s mobile application (see story).

“Mobile payments are continuing to evolve and overtake consumers carrying around cards in their wallets,” Ms. Troutman said.

“With airlines, iTunes, entertainment venues, hotels and more industries enabling the ability to ‘pay pass’ or pay via a click, the role of mobile payments will continue to permeate retail as a preferred method of payment for consumers,” she said.

Final Take
Chantal Tode is associate editor on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York