Retail BriefsANNOUNCEMENTSAt the start of the ATM Industry Association's 20th year, online encyclopedia Wikipedia approved an entry for the association. "What a way to kick start our anniversary," said Mike Lee, ATMIA Chief Executive Officer. "Our ongoing public and industry role has been recognized by an important voice of authority."
This is a "fitting way to mark ATMIA's two decades of history-making work," added ATMIA Founding Director Tom Harper, who is President and CEO of Networld Media Group. "Kudos to Mike Lee, his staff and so many others that have made the association such a critical driver of the ATM industry."
Integrity Payment Systems indicated its payment gateway, Integrity Business Exchange, has been certified with Total System Services Inc. (TSYS) to accept EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) chip-card transactions. This certification allows independent software vendors and other development partners who build the IBX gateway into their technology to offer an EMV-acceptance solution for their customers using PAX Technology Ltd. hardware and the TSYS payments front end, the company said.
Risk mitigation, compliance, security and incident response solution provider Kroll Inc. reported it was certified as a PCI Forensic Investigator (PFI) by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SCC). The certification, held by only 22 firms worldwide, makes Kroll the only PFI that is also a full-service investigative firm, Kroll stated. This PFI designation follows Kroll's certification in July 2016 as a Qualified Security Assessor by the PCI SSC.
Digital commerce platform provider Magento Commerce indicated Hillhouse Capital Group will invest $250 million in the company to fuel worldwide expansion, new product innovation and future acquisitions. Hillhouse is partnering with the Magento management team and the U.K.-based private equity firm Permira, which will continue to own a majority stake in the company. "We are excited to be partnering with such an exceptional management team to continue to build and grow the business over the long term," said Mr. Lei Zhang, Hillhouse Chairman and CEO.
MobileCause Inc., a digital fundraising and communications platform for nonprofit organizations, raised $15 million in Series B funding led by Level Equity Management LLC, a technology-focused growth equity firm based in New York City. MobileCause stated it will use the capital to implement an aggressive product innovation and expansion strategy in the United States and internationally. Level Equity founder and partner Sarah Sommer also joined MobileCause's board of directors.
Sage Group PLC business partner NexTec Group Inc. and NexTec CEO Eric Frank were recognized as the Sage CEO Circle 2016 winners of the Sage X3 new product sales category for North America. The awards program was designed to reward and recognize outstanding performance of the top business partners from around the world who serve customers, recommend products and advocate for Sage, the company noted.
Public Service Credit Union reported that since the EMV liability shift, it has seen a 20 percent reduction in fraud. The credit union attributes this to the implementation of EMV. PSCU also deployed support for instant issuance of EMV cards, enabling PSCU to provide EMV cards to members inside their branches. At the same time, PSCU noted an increase in card-not-present fraud rates and has identified tools and resources to address this problem for its member clients.
Sterling Payment Technologies LLC said it was recognized by Business Solutions Magazine as one of the Best Channel Vendors for 2017, and this year marks the ninth consecutive year that Sterling has received the honor in the category of payment processing. Business Solutions Magazine partnered with Penn State University to conduct the survey and analyze the results. More than 5,300 validated votes were cast, and only the top 5 percent of vendors were recognized.
TreasuryXpress reported that it released Version 16.11 of its cloud enterprise treasury management solution, C2Treasury. C2Treasury provides companies access to enterprise-level cash visibility, liquidity management, bank connectivity, payments workflow and self-service custom reporting capabilities. The latest version allows treasurers to identify payment processing trends across the entire lifecycle of the payment, and introduces enhanced payment performance features with a high-speed payment notification and dispatching service, according to TreasuryXpress.
Automatic Merchandiser magazine named Jim Turner, Vice President of Deployment Services at USA Technologies Inc., one of its "Industry Pros to Know." The award highlights Turner's dedication to USA Technologies' growth as well as payment technology innovation for the self-service retail market, the magazine noted. "Jim Turner is an innovator moving the industry forward as he goes above and beyond the call of duty to bring viable and intelligent vending solutions to the table. He is very deserving of this award," said Adrienne Zimmer, Managing Editor for Automatic Merchandiser.
RESEARCHBusiness-to-business, cross-border ecommerce marketplace DHgate.com presented its 2016 holiday season ecommerce sales data. The data included the 10 highest selling product categories. Topping the list were cell phones and accessories; consumer electronics; and home and garden. The top countries for gross merchandise volume (GMV) were the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Italy was the country with the greatest GMV increase. Cell phones and consumer electronics ranked one and two, respectively, as top-selling product types, researchers noted.
In its annual report, titled Looking Back: A Review of the 2016 Holiday Shopping Season, Market Track LLC stated that deeper discounts and shifts in advertising strategy paved the way for 2016 holiday sales that had not been as robust since 2005. The report highlights key trends that helped retailers and brands compete this season. It also indicated that the 2016 Christmas Creep (the practice of introducing year-end holiday sales before Black Friday, which is the traditional start of the season) coupled with the way the holiday fell on the 2016 calendar prompted retailers to provide highly competitive online prices throughout the season.
U.S. Consumers and Debit: Signs of Displacement, the latest Insight Summary Report from Mercator Advisory Group, disclosed findings from an online survey conducted in June 2016. Results revealed that 65 percent of all respondents and 78 percent of young adults aged 18 to 34 used online payment services such as PayPal, Google Checkout, Pay by Amazon and others via online and in-app access. The report also stated the rising use of alternative financial services, particularly online payment services and person-to-person payments, may disrupt debit card usage in the United States.
PARTNERSHIPSEnsenta Corp. partnered with Engage Financial Technology to enable customers to use mobile devices to load funds onto payment cards. Ensenta's cloud-based, open application programming interface remote deposit capture technology is incorporated into Engage's Engage360 Payments Innovation Platform for financial intuitions. The technology pairing is designed to increase the longevity and use of payment cards, which has long been a major challenge for payment card offerings, according to the companies.
7thonline Inc. revealed that Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. subsidiaries Theory and Helmut Lang chose 7thonline to support their global demand planning and retail allocation. Theory and Helmut Lang indicated they aim with 7thonline to formalize business processes across divisions and drive strategic growth via centralized, data-driven and transparent merchandise demand planning and retail allocation. The initial phase of implementation includes global merchandise planning, assortment planning, in-season planning and retail allocation, the partners stated.
Ford Motor Co. reported that it integrated ExxonMobil Corp.'s Speedpass+ app, so Speedpass+ users can now access the app from their Ford SYNC 3 touch screens or by voice commands to authorize payment from inside their vehicles, while also earning Plenti loyalty points at Exxon and Mobil stations. Using GPS technology, vehicles recognize when they are at a participating Exxon or Mobil station, making it easy for drivers to enter their pump numbers and automatically pay for gas. Drivers can use the app to search for and navigate to approximately 9,400 participating Exxon and Mobil stations, Ford noted.
IPS Group Inc. said it is collaborating with Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and Visa Inc. to integrate its Smart Parking technology with an end-to-end, in-vehicle mobile payment parking solution. The process begins when the driver is notified of available parking via the IPS mobile app on the vehicle's dashboard. The driver is able to select the time increment needed and pay for parking using the application and secure Visa payment technology, and the meter displays the time purchased. Drivers will also be able to add more time to the meter via mobile phones, the partners noted.
Sequent Software Inc. and MagicCube Inc. partnered to release a software solution to protect mobile and other connected devices and token-based payments. According to the companies, MagicCube's technology provides a secure in-app container that protects sensitive data, sensitive logic and cryptographic operations on devices. Sequent Platform digitizes legacy plastic cards, and with this new security option, can support a larger number of smartphones, the partners added.
Mindbody Inc., a provider of cloud-based business management software to the wellness services industry, partnered with Google Inc. to help wellness and fitness providers offer their clients and students an easy way to book and pay for fitness and wellness classes directly from Google Maps, Search and a new stand-alone website. The companies stated the pilot of Reserve with Google displays class schedules for Mindbody subscribers within approximately 10,000 square miles of New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Users' clients can search for a class or studio, click the desired class time and complete booking and payment directly through Google. "This aligns beautifully with our vision of a transaction-enabled marketplace connecting the world of wellness," said Rick Stollmeyer, Mindbody CEO and co-founder.
PAX Technology Ltd. reported it was selected by China UnionPay Merchant Services to supply secure payment devices to over 6 million merchants during 2017. China UnionPay will be leveraging the full PAX product portfolio, with emphasis on the A920 Android terminal, which offers application customization to meet procurement, logistics, inventory, and business management demands. Other PAX devices deployed will include countertop models, contactless and smart personal identification number pads, mobile terminals, the self-service payment terminal, and the all-in-one payment terminal, the partners said.
Payment gateway provider Shift4 Corp. and World Web Technologies Inc., provider of the cloud-based property management system WebRezPro, reported they made available a joint EMV-certified solution for the tourism and hospitality industries. They noted the solution includes layered payment security, is supported by 13 devices, and is bank and processor neutral. "We're proud to be working with WebRezPro to simplify the EMV transition for hoteliers and ensure that they'll benefit from the layered security," said Dave Oder, CEO of Shift4.
Shopify Inc. revealed that its merchants selling in U.S. dollars are now able to add the Amazon Inc. sales channel to their Shopify accounts. The integration is designed to seamlessly connect Shopify store owners to the millions of customers searching for products on Amazon. Merchants can now conveniently manage their product catalog for their ecommerce website, retail store, Amazon store, and other sales channels all in one place, according to Shopify.
Wix.com Ltd. revealed it integrated with Square Inc. to give Wix merchants and entrepreneurs in North America a new way to accept online and in-person credit card payments. The partners stated this integration improves payment processing and allows both online and in-person payments via mobile device-based POS systems; they added that any online Wix store can become a physical store instantly via the Wix App, which automatically and fully syncs the POS with the Wix online catalog and inventory. Wix also intends to expand the relationship across verticals, including Wix Bookings, over the coming months.
"We know that for small businesses both ecommerce and mobile functionality are crucial," said David Schwartz, Vice President of Ecommerce at Wix. "Today, Wix manages more than 305,000 ecommerce subscriptions globally. Now, by integrating the Wix App with the Square POS, users can accept payments in any location."
World First and Shop.com, a virtual marketplace that sells over 50 million products in over 200 countries, joined forces to make it easier for ecommerce retailers to sell to overseas customers. World First will now provide exchange services in 140 currencies and 45 countries worldwide for Shop.com sellers, who will also have direct access to the benefits of World First's award-winning customer support, the companies noted, adding that the arrangement will provide Shop.com sellers competitive rates on foreign currency exchange, as well as a suite of products designed to protect them from currency volatility.
ACQUISITIONSThe DirectCash Payments Inc. acquisition by Cardtronics Holdings Ltd. under its AcquisitionCo subsidiary, is complete. DirectCash redeemed all of its issued and outstanding senior unsecured notes in addition to all accrued and unpaid interest. AcquisitionCo acquired common shares of DirectCash and subsequently amalgamated with DirectCash to continue as DirectCash Payments ULC. The common shares will also be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange.
EVO Payments International LLC acquired Sterling Payment Technologies. EVO said the acquisition enhances its existing integrated payments offering and extends its distribution capabilities in the growing integrated payments space. Paul Hunter will continue managing the Sterling team, which will be responsible for EVO's overall U.S. integrated solutions offerings and will operate under the Sterling brand.
One Step Data Inc. acquired the assets of Boston-based Mander Inc., doing business as JD Associates. With the acquisition, One Step Retail Solutions will add over 118 years of combined industry expertise, including former JD Associates principal John Deery and other key personnel. According to One Step, the added resources will both augment its New York presence and complement the company's core discipline of servicing the complex retail technology needs of Tier 3 and smaller retailers. The company said it will maintain a physical presence, as well as both sales and technical resources, in Boston.
Payment Alliance International acquired Louisville-based ATM operator Avery Scott LLC. PAI noted that the acquisition will add more than 400 ATM locations throughout the Louisville-metropolitan area to PAI's nationwide network. "We're joining forces with PAI because both companies value each other's expertise, reputation, dedication to customers, and commitment to introducing new and innovative ATM processing solutions," said Ron Fadel, CEO for Avery Scott.
APPOINTMENTSThe Electronic Transactions Association elected six new directors to two-year terms of service on its Board. The ETA also released the names of its 2017 officers and appointments to the Presidential Advisory Council of the organization's board. The six newly elected directors include Sarah Arvin, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at Worldpay; Eric Dunn, CEO, Quicken Inc.; Eric Hoffman, Director of Internet Software and Services, Apple Inc.; Kevin Jones, President and CEO, Anovia Payments LLC; Chris Lee, President, North American Strategic Partnerships and Emerging Markets, Moneris Solutions; and Julie Pukas, Head of U.S. Bankcard and Merchant Solutions, TD Bank N.A.
JetPay Corp. appointed Vincent S. Breault as President of Sales of its payment processing segment. Breault brings a broad range of experience to his new position at JetPay, including executive sales and product development roles at large payment organizations, such as Elavon Inc., where he led major account sales and helped develop the partnership channel. He also served as Vice President-Channel Partnerships at ROAM Data Inc. and was a leader on First Data Corp.'s mobile and analytic solutions sales team.
Following a $3.75 million funding round, business intelligence provider Numetric appointed Greg Butterfield as Chairman of its board. Numetric noted that Butterfield has been involved in board and advisory roles to multiple industry-leading analytics companies, including Omniture and InsideSales.com. He brings more than 25 years of executive experience in enterprise systems management software to Numetric.
Shift4 Corp. made several strategic promotions within its sales team. Daniel Montellano has been promoted to Vice President of Strategic Business Development; Brett Williams is now the company's Director of Business Development; and Andrew Gutshall has taken on the role of Director of Industry Relationships. These three promotions are in alignment with Shift4's continued focus to be the innovative leader in secure payments and financial technology, the company stated.
The National ATM Council Inc. elected its board of directors and board officers, effective January 1, 2017. George Sarantopoulos will serve as the newly appointed NAC Board Chair; Patrick Conner was elected NAC Board Vice-Chair; Mike Powell was named NAC Secretary; and Chris Waters will assume the NAC Treasurer role. "NAC thanks these dedicated and talented professionals for contributing their valuable time and expertise on behalf of America's retail ATM industry sector," said Bruce Renard, Executive Director of NAC. 
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