Retail, Grocery, And Hospitality IT News For VARs — November 24, 2014
By Phillip Britt, contributing writer
In the news, research shows grocery shoppers are more open to the idea of using wearable technology while shopping. Also, with the holiday shopping season under way, POS malware continues to be a concern among your merchant IT clients, and this year, the gift giving via digital gift cards is expected to increase.
Grocery Savings Now Available Via Wearable Tech
The use of wearable technology while grocery shopping is a topic that is becoming more approachable to four in ten consumers according to the latest IGD ShopperVista research, reported in Fresh Plaza. These consumers are willing to entertain the use of smartphones, glasses, and watches to enhance their grocery shopping experience. While most of the population would prefer a paper coupon, the number of those willing to have a smart shopping experience is increasing. Those willing could receive special offers sent to their devices based on where they are in the store, the ability to scan their items as they shop and to check to see if another store has an item at a lower price.
The Malware That Stole Christmas
POS (point of sale) malware is expected to be an issue for U.S. shoppers this holiday season as reported by Computer Business Review. Retailers are still targets for hackers as POS breaches have been increasing. While advances have been made to protect from these breaches, these new technologies will not make fraud impossible. Attackers will still be able to adapt and evolve as technology advances.
More Gift Givers Are Turning To Digital Gift Cards
According to InComm, digital gift cards will be on the rise this holiday season. Their findings suggest that almost three-quarters of those surveyed have previously purchased a gift card online. InComm suggests that the numbers for individual retailers can increase if these retailers make it possible for a consumer to easily purchase a gift card from a computer or mobile device. The option of a digital gift card is most popular among gift givers in younger age brackets; the choice also depends on who will receive the gift.
Retail, Grocery, And Hospitality IT Talking Points
New technology — Facepay — debuted at 100% Genuine Imported Foods stores in Shanghai last week according to Take Part. Facepay works by scanning the capillaries in a person’s face. The scan is compared to data stored in 100% Genuine’s database and confirmation of the person’s identity is linked to his or her bank account.
Mashable reports the acceptance of ApplePay at several more grocery store chains in New England, Southeast Texas, and Chicago. Some of these chains including Jewel Osco, Associated Food Stores and Bi-Lo Holdings (Harvey’s and Winn-Dixie) join Whole Foods locations as smart payment locations. Many of these new locations also are a part of Instacart, a grocery delivery service much like PeaPod, in major markets, which also accepts Apple Pay.
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