With new technologies come new opportunities for good or ill. Given the brazen breaches pulled off against Equifax, the SEC and Deloitte, along with other confirmed and suspected attacks on U.S. government systems and social networks, it can seem at times that criminals and bad actors have the upper hand. However, the payments industry and retailers we serve are far from paralyzed. Efforts within our realm to develop and implement superior transaction data security at every point on the payments chain, as well as provide new services to empower retailers continue unabated. And merchants, facing new realities when it comes to shopper habits and preferences, are adapting to revolutionize the retail sector.
This issue's lead article takes a dive into the smart steps retailers are taking so they can prosper by providing consumers the kind of shopping experiences they desire. Working toward the same ends are forward-thinking payment technology enterprises. Knowing the determined innovators interviewed for this article are on the job, one can't help but feel a sense of optimism.
Another cause for optimism is the strategic thinking and advice offered by industry experts contributing to this installment of The Green Sheet. Topics addressed are the rationale for making data security a national priority; the potential for new players in the payments sphere to bring about the demise of interchange; mobile wallets vying for dominance, with none winning the top spot yet; and, back to basics, the imperative to practice, practice, practice if you want to master the merchant level salesperson game.
The news briefs herein introduce some of the stories posted recently online at www.greensheet.com. These include industry leader Biff Matthews' retirement; a Bank of Ireland and WorldFirst partnership to bring global payments to U.S. SMBs; Google's mobile payments initiative in India; the expiration of Amazon's 1-click checkout; new NFC Forum specs for interoperability, quality, differentiation and metrics; and challenges associated with Apple's Face ID; among others. News of recent breaches is ongoing and posted online.
Also included, of course, are product and company profiles, along with updates on noteworthy achievements in the payments world, including appointments, acquisitions, partnerships, research, awards, best practices, legal settlements and rulings, rebrandings, new merchant programs, and more.If you're working in the payments sphere, we'd love to receive news of your professional achievements and company milestones at press@greensheet.com. And please send your questions and comments to greensheet@greensheet.com. 
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