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Letter from the

editors

s of press time, total Halloween sales were
expected to be lower this year than in 2012
– $6.9 billion compared with last year's $8
A billion, according to The National Retail
Federation. However, this is no cause for dismay.
The federal government's shutdown was an unusual and
unsettling factor that frightened some consumers away
from the costumes, decorations and candy displayed
on retailers' shelves. But the citizenry, as always, will
bounce back despite ongoing economic uncertainties.
It is likely thoughts of delicious turkey dinners and the
ensuing, hard-to-resist Black Friday (and Thanksgiving
Day) bargains will cause many folks to open their wallets
in an effort to create memorable holiday experiences for
their loved ones.

Yes, the holiday season is when merchants can help their
customers make dreams come true. And the payments
industry's feet on the street have exciting new tools to
help merchants do just that.

To that end, this issue's lead article explores the
opportunities presented by the pop-up POS phenomenon.
Some of you already serve pop-up merchants who set
up shop for just a short time or even for only one event
at a time. More of us could serve this sector – and at a
profit. Plus, many established merchants could benefit
by creating temporary pop-up locations during the
holiday season, even if the temporary POS is just a few
feet from their front door. It's not too late to explore pop-
up options with your merchant base this season – and
boost sales in the process.

Our contributing writers have also shaped articles
designed to inspire and inform you. They've covered
such topics as the positive role failure can play in a
salesperson's ultimate success; a glimpse of the future
offered by 2013's Money2020 conference; the importance
of using the right tools to increase your efficiency and
expand your merchant portfolio; the benefits of adopting
an as-a-service business model; change we can expect
to see in our industry in 2014; and the pressing need to
rid our industry of unethical players. In addition, our
regular departments offer insights and information on
new products and developments affecting the industry.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions,
comments or suggestions. We have served you for 30
years and want to do so for another 30. You can reach
us via email at greensheet@greensheet.com or by phone at
800-757-4441. To post a press release, email your news to
press@greensheet.com.

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