Polytag, the UK’s leading data capture and marketing platform enabling the circular economy, has partnered with Hozelock, a leading manufacturer of garden watering and outdoor products, to introduce smart QR codes across its garden product range.
The deployment marks the first use of smart QR technology on garden products, bringing connected product experiences to the garden and outdoor sector for the first time. By scanning the codes, Hozelock customers can access product-specific guidance, including how-to guides and videos, while the company gains new insight into how and where its products are being used.
The smart QR codes, powered by Polytag’s platform, have been added to Hozelock products available through retailers including B&Q. When scanned, the codes can direct consumers to content tailored to their market and device language, enabling Hozelock to provide relevant information across its international markets using a single QR code.
This is particularly valuable for Hozelock’s range of technical and higher-value garden products, where packaging alone cannot always display the level of information customers may need. The technology provides an additional channel for consumers to access product support when using the product.
The digital connection also provides a foundation for future product-level information requirements, including Digital Product Passports, allowing Hozelock to build on the infrastructure already in place as these requirements are rolled out.
The deployment also gives Hozelock visibility beyond the point of purchase. Through the Polytag platform, the company can see where and when customers are engaging with its products, providing data that was previously unavailable once a product had left the retailer. Data collected between November 2025 and August 2026 has revealed high levels of engagement, generating 11,399 QR scans and over 3,610 minutes of engagement time, with an average dwell time of 19 seconds, significantly exceeding the reported industry average of 7.4 seconds. Engagement has been recorded across 63 product SKUs and 1,344 locations, providing further insight into how and where consumers are interacting with Hozelock products.
The technology has also been used by Hozelock as a marketing engagement tool. Ahead of major industry exhibitions, including Spoga+Gafa and Glee, QR codes were included on event invitations, enabling recipients to access teaser content showcasing upcoming product launches before their official unveiling at the shows.
Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, commented: “Hozelock is a great example of how smart QR technology can create value for both brands and consumers. Customers can access useful, product-specific information at the moment they need it, while Hozelock gains visibility into how people are engaging with its products after purchase.
“For a brand selling technical products across multiple markets, the ability to deliver relevant information in the right language through a single QR code is incredibly powerful. The engagement we’re seeing also shows the appetite consumers have for useful digital content that helps them get more from the products they buy.”
Alina Gordon, marketing and communications executive at Hozelock, said: “Our goal is always to make the customer experience as simple and helpful as possible. By incorporating Polytag QR codes onto our packaging, we’re giving consumers instant access to the information they need while creating a more connected relationship between our products and our customers. The technology has also provided exciting opportunities to engage audiences in new ways, such as supporting product launch campaigns and exhibition activity.”
