Cosmetics brand Smashbox is using mobile bar codes on products to educate consumers about its makeup.

As more consumers are becoming accustomed to scanning mobile bar codes, it is important that retailers integrate them into their traditional marketing efforts such as print, direct mail, catalog and out-of-home.

Mobile bar code scanning experienced continued rapid growth in the fourth quarter of 2010, reflecting increased adoption of smartphones for every-day activities such as shopping, product information and Web usage.

A recent poll by Scanbuy on Twitter and Facebook proves the influence that mobile bar codes are having for retail outlets trying to improve the customer shopping experience.

The New York Auto Show has partnered with ScanLife to let show visitors buy tickets directly via their mobile devices.

ScanLife has launched a new feature that lets consumers scan UPC bar codes from books, DVDs and electronics to get pricing information and reviews in a matter of seconds.

Fashion designer Norma Kamali used 2D bar codes to make her boutique more interactive during Fashion Week in New York.

Hearst Communications Inc.’s Esquire magazine has partnered with Scanbuy to let consumers buy items via mobile devices and 2D bar codes.

Scanbuy Inc.’s mobile bar code application ScanLife is being preloaded on Sony Ericsson camera-enabled mobile devices.

Volkswagen, Bissell Homecare and Metro News are using 2D bar code technology to make their traditional printed media more interactive and engaging for consumers.