QR codes will be a ‘stop-gap’ until near field communication-enabled (NFC) smartphones reach a critical mass, according to new research.

NFC allows data to be exchanged between devices via short-range, high-frequency wireless communication technology by combining the interface of a smartcard and reader into a single device.

A new report by ABI Research forecasts that by 2016, 70 per cent of NFC tag shipments will be used in smart posters or for other marketing uses, with retailers able to embed the technology into advertisements and other marketing purposes. The technology has been tipped to replace QR codes.

“QR codes can be viewed as just a stopgap until the number of NFC enabled smartphones in use reach a critical mass, and that will not be far away,” said Signbox MD Mark Bartlett.

“Recent research indicates that NFC chip shipments will surpass 1.2 billion units by 2015, the same year the technology is expected to reach a 30 per cent global smartphone penetration.”

NFC technology can also be used in property, leisure and transport, as an enabled phone can read an NFC tag through glass.