Just as electronic payments disrupted retail, B2B payments are revolutionizing money transfers and business management. Here are three trends impacting B2B in 2019. 1. Blockchain: Speed and Accuracy
We’ve all heard it before, “everything is going online”. For store owners running business that relies on a physical store-front, this retail evolution can seem scary. While the online world still can’t compete with the convenience that c-stores and local groceries provide, it’s still important for store owners to keep
Think money laundering, and you might picture bags of cash and back alley deals. But that’s not the real picture at all. Money laundering is an increasingly prevalent, dangerous and expensive problem in the US payments industry. Transaction laundering is responsible for a shocking $200 billion in fraud in the
According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, more than $35 million worth of items is stolen from retailers across the U.S. every day. This amount covers theft of all kinds of products from electronics to clothing, and even groceries. This statistic should be scary for any owner of a
As a c-store owner, it’s crucial to continually build your business, but it can be hard to find the time or figure out where to start. However, many independent business owners are unsure of the opportunities of internet resources, which wait just a few easy taps away. To help c-store
You may have heard of the term “loyalty program” and you may even be a member of a few yourself. Even if you understand the benefits of adding a loyalty program to your own store for your customers, it can seem like a very difficult or expensive task to start
The first month of the new year is over and February has tiptoed onto our path. February is famously known for being the month of love. For that very reason, many consumers focus their attention on items that may correspond with that emotion. As a convenience store, sweets like chocolate
A good store owner is always reflecting on how to improve business. There are many ways to modify a retailer’s financial strategy. It does not always have to involve selling more products or services. At times, you need to take a step back and look behind your own doors. The
As the years go on, it is more important than ever to help the environment in any way possible. There are thousands, if not millions, of organizations that dedicate years into building a greener society for everyone. This greener society is to be pro-environment and produce as little waste as possible. With
About every five years, it is the government’s duty to pass a new Farm Bill that molds the foundation for food and agriculture, and other similar matters. Last month, in December, the 2018 Farm Bill was passed by the Senate and House. Soon after the President gave his signature, allowing
Our Merchant Spotlight for the month of January goes to Nabeel Ahmed! This proud goEBT merchant is the owner of S & M Grocery in Griffin, GA.
It’s that time of the year again. It’s January and half of America’s new year resolution is to start the gym and focus on reducing that waist line by losing a few pounds. It is a hard challenge. Going to the gym is only a part of the weight loss
It’s the beginning of the new year and the future is exciting. 2018, is in the past and done. No matter how hard you wish you can’t reverse time, but you can still take a look at the helpful articles, that have been written, at goEBT. Even though each article is
It’s only been a few days now in 2019 and the year is looking bright. You have finished 2018 and are eager to hit the ground running. The holidays have ended, and it’s time to look forward. Despite the next major holiday being Valentine’s Day, and not nearly as popular
Recently there has been much debate on which alcohol and tobacco products should and should not be available to the public and where they can be purchased. While some people believe that the customer should have the right to purchase anything they like as long as they are not against
The new year is right around the corner. 2018 has flown by and is almost in the rear-view mirror. Despite the ups and downs of the c-store industry this year, you should still be ready to enter 2019 with a positive outlook for your business and your life.
Customers around the nation suffer the same fate of waking up and being low on energy. Whether it’s sleeping late or not being able to sleep at all, the problem is consistent and not going away.
As a business owner, you know how important it is to be constantly thinking of ways to improve your store. When thinking of all the factors that influence your business, it can be hard to decide what improvements or changes you need to focus on. But the difficulties don’t stop
Our Merchant Spotlight for the month of December goes to Fedie Chani! This proud goEBT partner is the owner of Roosevelt Connect Mart. His establishment is located in the “Windy City” of Chicago, Illinois.
The holidays have already begun! Thanksgiving has passed, Hanukkah has started, and Christmas along with New Years is right around the corner.
Over the years, SNAP shoppers have had their typical routine for shopping. It was simply walking into the store, filling their cart up, and making their way to the counter. While this will still be the way many cardholders shop for time to come, some new ways to shop
With today’s POS systems, developers are competing for merchant dollars. Whoever can build the most bells and whistles into their tablet system can gain a real edge over the competition. This benefit holds true for merchants as well. By utilizing all the features built into their POS systems, merchants can
As experts on the government safety net program, SNAP (also known as food stamps), it’s important to us that retailers considering or currently participating in the program are aware of the facts that surround the way benefits are issued and eventually spent in their store. While most store owners understand
With all the headlines about payment innovation, you’d think we would be living in a tech utopia. But the reality is not so glamorous. Here in the US, payment change comes slowly. Our financial ecosystem is so large and complex that any meaningful innovation is just difficult to enact.
One year ago today, The Clearing House debuted RTP, its Real Time Payments system for the US financial market. Supported by all the member banks of The Clearing House, RTP is off to a strong start. It’s estimated that 50% of eligible demand-deposit accounts will be able to receive an
Consumers continue to want a healthier, greener, and more organic lifestyle, so their switching up everything from their cars to the water they drink. Consumers still enjoy the bubbly fizz soda offers, but desire the health benefits of water. That’s why we’ve seen a spike in sales for sparkling water.
For years, we’ve been hearing that checks are dead. It seems that most consumers have ditched their checkbooks (except for the slowpokes in front of you at the grocery store.) So why should retailers consider accepting check payments? These four reasons may encourage you to promote check acceptance to your
It takes a lot of hard work and long hours to make your dreams come true. C-Store owners everywhere know this to be true. There are different challenges you face everyday, but the success you see makes it all worth while. In a competitive business like the c-store industry, there are
UPDATE: This year, Halloween spending is expected to reach $9 billion. This number is second in 14 years only to last year’s record of $9.1 billion. While $6.3 billion is expected to be spent on costumes, decorations, and greeting cards, there is still $2.6 billion dollars left to be spent on
Fresh foods are one of the fastest growing trends in retail and grocery. As supermarkets have adapted to consumers’ evolving eating habits by offering more organic and healthier products, convenience stores have also started to make the change. Aside from healthier foods, they want fresh food, food that is prepared
Question: “Can I sell energy drinks?” -Ranny Gammo, Peck Market
The rise in internet-connected devices brings terrific benefits to retailers: easier inventory management, increased data collection, targeted customer promotions and much more. But this same connectivity can leave retailers vulnerable to data breaches due to hackers and malware. When considering implementing IoT applications in a business setting, retailers need to
Khurram Ghani opened his first store, Island Lake BP, in 2015. After seeing success with this store in a small community, Khurram saw an opportunity to expand and open a second store. His second store, Jefferson BP, was opened in Joliet, IL in 2017. In a town with close to
In today’s highly personalized and competitive retail world, data is gold. Modern POS systems specialize in collecting data so that merchants can improve business operations and profitability. But there’s another valuable tool that your merchants may overlook: the IoT.
Are we finally getting ready to ditch the plastic card? Are wearables the next big thing? Judging by the buzz in the industry, you might think so. However, form innovation is just not ready to take off in the US.
Question:“Is there an alternative option to charge customers and accept food stamps when the system is down?” – Israel Jurado, Jurado Family Farms, Inc.
Although technology has changed shopping to a mostly seamless digital experience for most of us, life is still not as convenient for all consumers. Especially consumers who are primarily low income, unbanked, or underbanked and left without access to online shopping or to debit cards. These also happen to be
The government agency that controls the SNAP program, FNS, has released their proposal for the newest version of the application that a store owner must complete to become a SNAP retailer. We want to make sure that retailers like yourself are aware of some of the changes that have been
Many QSR owners resist bringing mobile apps into their operations. After all, they’ve decided to run a restaurant, not a website. And busy restaurant owners have little time free to hassle with technology. However, by neglecting ecommerce, QSRs are leaving money on the table.
Our Merchant Spotlight for September goes to AJ Jabr, a multi store owner in Michigan. The family owned business has been successfully running Citgo Gas for 3 years and 2575 Dix Station Inc for 12 years.
From retail to QSR and every vertical in between, it’s amazing how specialized POS systems have become. As a merchant acquirer, you can find payment products tailored to any type of business. New POS systems may be bursting with features, but bells and whistles are only as good as they
In payment processing, acquiring new merchant accounts is time consuming and costly. And with churn rates running up to 22% every year, it’s a never-ending hassle. But there is one profitable vertical that acquirers have yet to tap: mobile merchants.
There’s no doubt about it. From online grocery orders to pop-up Instagram shops, ecommerce is a fabulous vertical for many consumer goods. So where does that leave retail? Is retail doomed?
Many c-store owners think that signage is something they don’t really have to focus their attention on. However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Signage is how you communicate with your customers when you can’t speak with them directly. The signage outside your store is how you communicate with
Unattended retail is a great way for your retailers to cut labor costs and build efficiency. From grocery self checkout to payment kiosks, unattended retail is growing in popularity every year. But it’s important to realize that unattended retail comes with some unique fraud risks. Be aware of these risks
Customers stop at convenience stores to get a variety of things: gas, food, coffee, soda, tobacco products, but have you ever thought about what products make your c-store so valuable? People don’t go to convenience stores to shop around like they would at a grocery store. They go in looking
From local independent retailers to global hospitality brands, the point of sale industry is highly diverse. As a payment service provider, you need to know where your customers are headed, so that you can help them meet their current and emerging needs. Let’s look at 3 top business verticals and
If your clients handle payments for large-scale events such as concerts, sporting events, tradeshows and conventions, you know that POS needs are complex. From ticketing to merchandise sales and inventory management, your merchants need the right POS provisioning to manage a successful event. Let’s consider 3 critical POS needs unique
We’ve written posts before about the importance of making sure that your store is ready to serve the specific customers in your area. To do this, you should not only understand the interests of your customers, but also the challenges to seeing success at your store’s location. While you can
Technology is constantly evolving and consumers’ shopping behaviors are changing with it. The advances in technology have made people want things even quicker, appreciate environmentally friendly options more, and above all demand more convenience. For businesses, that means evolving retail models in an attempt to keep up with the quickly
While there are mixed emotions about going back to school, one thing is for sure, it means great business for you. Students are heading back to college, parents are back to school shopping, and your c-store should be preparing more than you think. This is especially true for c-stores that
Since the early 2000s, Amazon has been disrupting and challenging businesses in most consumer product and service industries. The ecommerce giant has single-handedly transformed the way that consumers choose to spend their money, find the products they want, and get the products to their homes. For some time, the businesses
Large c-store chains are expanding and with big box stores like Walmart have recently expanded into the convenience store industry , the competition is getting even more intense. To keep attracting customers and driving profits for your store, you will have to do things differently to compete. As a small
Competition is heating up and not just among convenience stores, but with all retailers. Customers’ demands have changed and providing access to quality products as quickly as possible is top priority. People are strapped for time and they appreciate the convenience of getting things they actually want and need easily,
Some time in the first week of July 2018, some goEBT merchants started experiencing interruptions to their EBT Processing service which prevented them from processing EBT transaction. As retailers began to notify us, we immediately reached out to our EBT processing provider to begin finding a resolution for this issue.
You may have heard people say that you need to understand your customer ‘demographics’. Demographics are facts or characteristics that can be counted or measured about a certain population or group of people. These numbers can help people like business owners and government officials make decisions about certain areas.
We’ve talked about the changes in the way c-store customers shop quite a few times. What you may not be aware of is the fact that in the past four years, overall consumer trips to any retail location have steadily declined. Even during the holiday quarters, trips are down three
While at first glance your store may appear clean, it may not be what your customers see. No matter the business, customers want to buy their products from a clean store. An unclean store goes beyond the physical appearance, it is the small things that matter too; such as the
We know that customers hate surprises. Most companies have hidden fees and confusing rates that end up costing you more. They take advantage and hide charges that are in the small print that you do not see until it’s too late. The charges end up costing you a fortune, but
As POS payment options grow more complex for merchants, so do initial deployment requirements. New merchant kits might contain anything from wireless terminals and bluetooth printers, to accessories like tablet stands and fingerprint scanners. And considering the rate of change in payments, what we’re deploying today may look completely
There’s a lot of myths surrounding EBT processing. Some common concerns may be:
Make the best selling items easier to find
You can’t overestimate the impact of the humble dongle in revolutionizing payments for small merchants. These simple, plug-in card readers have ushered in an entirely new market segment for payments. But as our industry moves toward a software-based focus, is it time to phase out the dongle?
Business Owners should pay close attention to the latest trends. If you can predict the emerging trends, you can determine what business decisions you should make for the upcoming year. Summer is starting, and the latest trends are coming with it. There will likely be frequent stops at convenience stores
You’ve probably heard news about the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), but do you know what it means for you and your merchants? GDPR is a complete game changer for consumer privacy, and by extension also for all businesses that handle consumer personal data.
Merchants are intensely concerned about payment security. And rightly so, considering the destructive costs of data breaches. However when you try to explain PCI compliance, you probably notice their eyes glazing over.
It’s no surprise that consumers prefer establishments that are clean and safe, even convenience stores. No one wants to risk getting sick simply from using the restroom or grabbing a snack. If you aren’t keeping your c-store clean and complying with regulations, you are not only putting the health and
The rate of change in POS technology is a terrific assist for business growth. New payment technologies, innovative hardware and elegant software applications give merchant acquirers opportunities to strengthen relationships and increase retention. Launching a new product in merchant services requires some market-specific considerations. Consider these 7 steps:
One of the best parts about operating a c-store is that they are universally recognized across the world as a place to pick up quick essentials. Chances are international customers shop at your convenience store or small grocery store every day. You might wonder how you can best serve them,
Knowing the importance of your convenience store’s location is key to the business’ success. Your location will determine how you run your business and allow you to make better decisions. When determining the key factors in the success of your business, here are 5 things you should know about your
Make Speed A Priority, Keep C- Store Customers Happy
For merchant acquirers, high churn rates are a constant drain on profitability. In the payments industry, churn averages a painful 12% per year, sometimes even higher depending on the vertical. While there’s no magic bullet to eliminate churn, acquirers can certainly minimize merchant turnover. Consider these 4 simple strategies
Over the past 29 years, we’ve been hard at work providing a wide range of customized solutions to payments providers and other partners in the industry. Because the industry moves quickly and is almost always changing, staying ahead of the curve in technology, security, and processes has always been our
This month’s goEBT Merchant Spotlight is on a Bhavishaben Patel in Gray, Georgia. Mr. Patel is the owner of not just one, but three different businesses in his community that make life more convenient for consumers. At his c-store, Handy Andy, he’s making life easier with lower prices than lower
goEBT provides EBT processing to over 26,000 convenience stores across the country. Most of these convenience stores are owned and operated by a single individual who often only owns just one store. Often, these small business owners get discouraged by their lack of resources, experience, or just sheer volume. However,
The lottery has long been a staple of convenience stores across the nation. It appeals to a wide range of customers, and although it doesn’t offer the highest commissions for stores, it is a great traffic driver.
Digital Payments: New Opportunities for Your Merchants
The meteoric rise of bitcoin over the past year has led to all sorts of exciting predictions about its takeover as a mainstream currency. But is that hype or fact? We’ve sorted through the stories to let you know what practical use bitcoin may have for your merchants.
Although convenience stores, lovingly referred to as c-stores, have been around for over a century, keeping up with consumer trends and demands is still a full-time job today. Especially for the smaller c-store owners, faced with the dilemma of choosing what to stock and what not to stock, the decisions
Mobility is the future of payments. More and more, consumers expect the convenience of paying when, where and however they want. For the most part, manufacturers have been quick to respond to this need. But there’s still one glaring fault: mobile PIN entry
The shelves in your c-store are more important than you might think. Yes, they’re what hold your products, but many retailers are finding a competitive advantage by following and implementing the latest shelving innovations. Their shelves attract customers to products; they make shopping more natural, and they’re boosting sales. Don’t
Pragnesh Shah opened his North Carolina Exxon location in October 2017. When he first began operating his gas station, Pragnesh realized that he had a great opportunity to make the most of his c-store space. This ambitious store owner started enhancing his business right away to increase foot traffic and
Building market share in today’s fast-paced and tech-intensive economy requires a multi-faceted approach for nearly every vertical. However, busy merchants often don’t have time to think outside the box. Our industry is filled with innovative service providers, but finding the time to research what’s out there is just too much
You might think that your drink coolers only serve one purpose: to keep drinks cold for customers. While this is the primary function, you could be leveraging the surface area of your coolers to boost sales through signage opportunities and organization and save money on energy costs to keep more
We’ve written plenty of times before that it’s important to be constantly thinking about your merchants’ experiences when dealing with your company. Whenever making decisions for your business, their needs and wants should be front of mind. The challenge involved in this is having the most helpful information about your
When it comes to maximizing space within your convenience store, sometimes, it can be hard to come up with creative layouts that really market to your customers without them knowing it. Working within a small budget can make the organization even harder, cutting back on your options for the final
Advances in AI are revolutionizing customer service in nearly all verticals, from personal to tech support. But while technology has a vital and useful role in merchant support, it should never replace the personal touch. Your help desk will always be the most important link to keeping your merchants
Connectivity is the buzzword among POS system providers in 2018. Cloud based technology, improved AI and machine learning, and 24/7 connections enable retailers and their payment providers to communicate in real time regarding both transaction data and back office apps. By using the right technology, payment providers can make sure
With the start of a new year comes even more innovation in marketing. While many of the latest trends might seem irrelevant to your c-store, there are a few incoming marketing trends that can provide you with a competitive advantage over other stores. If you can harness the power of
Next to price, the top factor in a merchant’s POS decision is payment security. Data breaches and fraudulent transactions present deadly risks to both businesses and their customers. Your merchants expect their payment service providers to keep this payment information secure.
In the payments industry, we’ve grown to expect change. Payment service providers face a constant barrage of rules, regulations and revisions from all angles: PCI, CPFB, FCC, you name it. Some of these regulations crucially affect the security and function of your merchant’s transactions, while other may feel more
2018 is expected to see major shifts in the ways your customers pay for products, how payments are processed, and new tech continues to expand into the marketplace. Stay one step ahead of the incoming card processing trends by preparing for these expected card processing changes coming in 2018!
Every successful c-store needs to have encouraging signs both inside and outside of the store. This is your opportunity to speak to customers without ever meeting them. From attracting passing by cars to up-selling your customers inside the store, the quality and message of your signs matter. In this guide,
Since 2018 has started our government has shutdown twice, new tax laws have taken effect, and a new government budget has finally been approved. With so many new rules being considered regularly, it’s important that c-store owners stay aware of what the government is up to and how any laws
The POS industry is being disrupted at a head-spinning rate. Every season, manufacturers and software providers are rolling out new payment options that don’t just tweak previous methods, but completely eclipse them. And changes don’t just rest with hardware. Acquirers and merchants continually have to adjust their procedures to
POS systems are a hot target for data thieves. The complexity of payment systems makes it difficult to block all threats. Much like a game of Whack-A-Mole, by the time one weak spot is patched, hackers are already on to the next con.
After you sign a new merchant, your priority is getting their new POS package to them as quickly as possible. However, you can’t forget what needs to happen once they receive this package. Every POS solution provider should make sure that merchants are able to quickly get their equipment up
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