AUSTIN, TEXAS – 13/01/2026 – (SeaPRwire) – As retailers and frontline organizations look for new ways to deliver timely support with leaner teams, Zello has unveiled QR Assist, a new capability that enables customers, vendors, and visitors to request assistance through a simple QR code scan. The feature eliminates the need for dedicated apps, accounts, or additional hardware, offering a streamlined way to connect people to on-site teams in real time.
QR Assist will be demonstrated publicly for the first time at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show in New York, where attendees can experience the solution in a live, in-booth workflow designed to reflect real-world retail operations.
With QR Assist, organizations can place scannable codes in locations where help is frequently needed, such as fitting rooms, high-theft aisles, curbside pickup areas, service counters, or loading docks. When a shopper or visitor scans the code and selects “Request Help,” a predefined alert is sent directly into the appropriate Zello channel. Store associates can immediately see the request, acknowledge it, and respond within seconds.
According to Zello, the feature addresses a growing operational challenge in retail: maintaining service quality while covering larger spaces with fewer staff. By turning a simple printed code into a live connection with the right team, QR Assist allows associates to support multiple zones more efficiently without being tied to a single location.
Because QR Assist operates through a secure web page on the user’s own device, organizations avoid the expense and upkeep associated with kiosks or additional communication hardware. Codes are created and managed through Zello’s Management Console, where they can be linked to specific teams, alerts, or workflows, then easily updated or reused as operational needs evolve.
For retailers, QR Assist is designed to help reduce missed sales opportunities, improve customer confidence by clearly signaling that help is on the way, and increase labor efficiency without expanding headcount or device inventories. Associates can focus on active service instead of standing by in low-traffic areas.
Beyond retail environments, the capability is also applicable to other frontline settings. Logistics teams can use QR codes for driver check-ins at warehouse docks, manufacturing operators can flag equipment issues at specific machines, and airports can enable passengers to request assistance, such as wheelchair support, at designated locations.
Zello will present QR Assist at NRF 2026 under its “Winning Teams Talk” theme, emphasizing how connected frontline teams can deliver faster and more consistent service. Attendees can experience the feature and Zello’s broader AI-powered communication platform at booth 2509 in New York City from January 11–13, 2026.
About Zello
Zello is a frontline communications and operational efficiency platform that helps large organizations, particularly in retail, serve more people per shift without continually adding headcount. Designed to run on the smart devices teams already use, Zello replaces fragmented radios, public address systems, and consumer messaging apps with a single, reliable communication layer. Push-to-talk and rich messaging keep frontline teams aligned, while AI-powered summaries and insights transform daily conversations into actionable intelligence for leaders. Zello is used by thousands of organizations worldwide across retail, logistics, manufacturing, aviation, and public safety, and has been recognized by leading media outlets for its reliability in mobile workforce communications.