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IndustryUpdate

• Shopper insights from IGD Services Ltd. revealed that when it comes to technology related to food and grocery, 34 percent of respondents surveyed
were actively using apps to shop, 43 percent to purchase online, and 28 percent were interested in using a voice activated device at home to add items
to an online basket. Shoppers also sought technology that would help with reducing food waste, health and diet information, in-store navigation, fast
delivery, and sourcing of product information.
"Our research highlights a big opportunity for the food and grocery industry to engage and assist shoppers using technology," said Vanessa Henry,
Shopper Insight Manager at IGD. "Technologies that might be useful to shoppers in the future could be smart home devices which could help with meal
inspiration and planning, and in-store opportunities might include technology that helps speed up the checkout and payment process."
• Sales in the small home appliances and housewares markets are expected to be robust in 2017, with projected growth of 3 percent, according to The NPD
Group Inc. Topping the list for consumer purchases will be appliances for floor care and personal care, as well as small kitchen electronics and housewares
products – all driven by an up-and-coming consumer segment in pursuit of the latest gadgets.
"The home-products industry has entered a five to 10-year window in which it has the potential to see consistent annual growth in the U.S., based on the
changes occurring in the demographics of the population," said Joe Derochowski, Executive Director and Home Industry Analyst at NPD.

ANNOUNCEMENTS NFC Forum names award winners

The NFC Forum named winners in its Innovation Award
Hyperwallet showcases Hackathon winners Program. A jury of global leaders and industry experts
selected one first-place winner from each of three cat-
Hyperwallet Systems Inc. presented the winners of the egories. Speech Code GmbH won honors in the Most
Hyperwallet Hackathon, which challenged developers Innovative category for its near field communication
to build faster, safer, and smarter payout solutions to (NFC) talking labels; Best Mobile App recognition went
help charitable organizations distribute funds during to Khushi Baby Inc.; and Dimple Inc. was recognized as
disasters. The top prize of $2,500, sponsored by Visa Best NFC Startup. Entries were judged on innovation,
Inc., went to Team Get 50/Give. The team's solution commercial potential and usability, as well as on the
featured a fund distribution mechanism that used quality of design and implementation.
Hyperwallet's Visa Direct integration. Team Reach won
second place; Team Guard Me took third. Over 75 devel- SmartCard Marketing signs investment agreement
opers registered to participate in the event.
SmartCard Marketing Systems Inc. and Primeline HK
Loop Commerce product earns top honors Ltd. recently agreed Primeline HK Ltd. will invest $1
million in SmartCard Marketing for up to 25 percent
Loop Commerce Inc.'s GiftNow placed first in the of the company's outstanding common Class A shares.
Innovation Project's 2017 Innovator Awards in addition Together, the companies will focus on developing
to winning a gold medal in Most Innovative Payments opportunities in the fintech and retail industries by
Player category. GiftNow, an e-gifting platform and channeling independent software vendors as a growth
service, powers shopping, checkout and gift delivery for conduit for sales through proprietary technology and
leading retailers. Six finalists in 15 categories competed advisory services.
for gold, silver and bronze medals.

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