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IndustryUpdate

• Interactive smart hang tags are yet another tool expected to drive next-level mobile engagement in stores. Printed electronics and near field communication
smart-packaging solutions provider Thin Film Electronics ASA recently integrated its SpeedTap technology into Bedford Industries Inc.'s ElastiTag hang-tag
product line in an effort to create compelling reasons to buy whenever shoppers tap their smartphones. Customers will be able to quickly access product
information, instant offers, customer reviews, loyalty program integrations and more.

• Retailers need accurate historical data to track perishable items throughout the product lifecycle. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. began testing blockchain technology
co-developed by IBM Corp. and Wal-Mart to track two products: a packaged produce item sold in the United States and packaged pork sold in China. If the
technology performs as expected, Wal-Mart intends to use it to streamline food product delivery across its stores, thus reducing spoilage and waste.

• Among adults recently surveyed by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, 75 percent expect to see one-hour drone delivery service within the
next five years. Still, 44 percent dislike the idea due to concerns over drone malfunction, item theft, misuse and incorrect deliveries. As for trust, Amazon.
com ranked first for drone delivery service, followed by UPS, FedEx and USPS. "Though it will still take a few years for the technology to mature and the
regulatory framework to emerge, proactively examining the concept could allow the Postal Service to better assess its operational feasibility, fundamental
economics, regulatory compliance and social implications," the report on the survey stated.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Electronic Payments opens
POS Roadshow registration
ACG highlights stealthy fraud threat
Electronic Payments, a leading payments and POS
Auriemma Consulting Group convened a special indus- provider, stated it will be expanding its education and
try collaborative session to address the growing issue of training initiatives with the 2017 POS Roadshow, a
synthetic identity fraud, a lesser-known form of identity cross-country tour held in conjunction with some of the
theft that is threatening the credit card industry and is largest industry events. Creating an interactive learn-
difficult to track. The session brought together fraud ing environment, the roadshow will enable current
prevention managers and government relations per- and prospective agent and ISO partners to discuss the
sonnel from credit card lenders, Visa Inc., Mastercard, latest payments and POS technologies with Electronic
national credit reporting agencies and industry trade Payments' leadership and like-minded professionals.
associations. The group worked toward a series of Featuring hands-on product training and high-level dis-
shared goals, identifying interim steps and long-term cussions surrounding current market trends, attendees
solutions. will accelerate their product knowledge of Electronic
Payments' proprietary Exatouch POS and platform of
Chase unveils app omnichannel tools, the company noted. Registration is
open at www.epiroadshow.com.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. customers can now download
the Chase Pay app, a new digital payment solution TMG, FuturePay honored with Stevie Awards
devised to work in stores, in app and online. According
to Chase, the app can be used at all U.S. Starbucks TMG Chief Executive Officer Shazia Manus was named
and Best Buy Inc. locations; additional locations are the winner of a Gold Stevie Aware in the Female
on the way. The Chase Pay app enables customers to Executive of the Year – Business Services category.
pay with a mobile device using quick response codes, Additionally, FuturePay Inc., co-founded by CEO Bobbi
check Chase account balances and available credit, view Leach, was named the winner of a Bronze Stevie Award
transactions from the last 90 days, and reload Starbucks in the Fastest Growing Company of the Year category at
loyalty accounts from iPhone devices. the 13th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.
These awards honor female entrepreneurs, executives

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