Merchant

Omnichannel models and self-ordering kiosks will be key to linking online ease with the in-store experience, and fundamental to making stores safer and more efficient during the pandemic and beyond, says TouchSuite's Sam Zietz.

Payment technology developer MyPINPAD has upgraded its point-of-sale app to allow merchants to accept and authorize contactless payments through a consumer mobile device — and to potentially provide a less expensive option for PIN transactions for smaller merchants.

As a way to help small businesses maintain COVID-19 social distancing measures, Judopay is using a longer-range QR code that removes the need for any interaction at a point of sale device.

Travel has declined dramatically during the past year, but buy now, pay later firm Uplift contends there's a vigorous recovery on the horizon, adding Air Canada to its client roster.

Doing business online certainly isn’t new, but the pandemic prompted even businesses that hadn’t fully committed to the e-commerce space to shift some or all of their traditional operations online, says JotForm's Aytekin Tank.

Looking to ease contactless payments for cash wary consumers and businesses, PayPal has launched QR code payment acceptance in its iZettle point-of-sale application for small businesses in the U.K.

Capital One contends point of sale credit transactions are too risky to support, but competitors believe it's credit card debt that's falling out of favor with consumers.

Fintechs that focused on offering digital banking solutions likely saw a positive boost, and consumers’ increased use of mobile devices encouraged bank-fintech partnerships to keep up with the pace of innovation.

Global payments provider Paysafe Group Holdings has agreed to a merger with Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp., a transaction fueled through investments of more than $2 billion.

It won’t be enough for retailers to have a physical store presence or a solid e-commerce strategy without also incorporating a comprehensive communication plan, says Criteo's Tim Rogers.

Retailers and merchant acquirers need to adjust to new media in the new year, says Zycada's James Brear.

Investors are flocking to point of sale credit firms, which have emerged as a popular option during a time of economic stress. And market dynamics suggest more upside even as traditional payment competitors enter the fray.

The dramatic shift in consumer buying behavior sparked by the pandemic looks set to change the future of commerce for good, writes Joris Kroese, founder of Hatch.

By gathering pools of customer data ahead of the shopping surge, retailers can capitalize on the increase in shoppers by identifying the right customers and making every engagement count, says Tealium's Sav Khetan.

Software developers and ISOs must go into payment partnerships with a full understanding of what capabilities their merchants are seeking, including flexibility and choice, says NMI's Nick Starai.

Bad actors have taken advantage of the work-from-home shift and bank’s digital channels to increase AML risk, says Jumio's Robert Prigge.

Having an enforceable record on hand increases your ability to dispute chargeback claims by showing that a purchase was made intentionally, says PactSafe's Eric Prugh.

Replacing the traditional POS model will be a cloud-focused and software-defined model that gives shoppers their choice of checkout and reimagines the store experience, says Zynstra's Brian Buggy.

The cross-border e-commerce market is set to pass the $1 trillion mark in 2020, providing a huge addressable market for Afterpay's buy now, pay later expansion.

Concerns over cash and checks are permanent and will make contactless mainstream, says Global Market Insights' Vinisha Joshi.