Payment Times Keep A-Changin’ – New Technologies, Shifting Consumer Trends
The changing payment trends news cycle is once again filled with predictable data breaches (both of the IRS and even less discreet varieties), and we hope being a regular reader of these updates has somewhat indemnified you against the worst of these hazards (since you use separate passwords for different accounts and devices and update all your security patches, right?)
But there are some things that are less predictable in the world of payments — including, evidently, the shopping calendar used by customers. Pymnts.com carried a recent interview with Sarah Quinlan, a Senior Vice President of Market Insights at MasterCard, who talked about the back-to-school shopping season, which normally happens about now, but is currently being divvied up into stages:
Changing Back-to-School Shopping Trends
“What a large portion of back-to-school shoppers have done, then — they did it last year, and they’re doing it again this year — is actually delayed engaging in the required spending portion. In 2014, the biggest day for back-to-school shopping was Aug. 29, while spending on electronics in that regard actually moved all the way to Sept. 19: People had already started school before they figured out what kind of tablets, et cetera, that they wanted.”
So as the idea of what consumer consider “necessary” continues to change — for business, school, travel, etc. — so does their idea of when and how to buy things. During the same week, Pymnts.com announced that eCommerce merchants should prepare for an even bigger fall and winter holiday season compared to the previous year.
Security Measures in Payments
But of course, the discussion also raised concerns about security and breaches, as they emphasized the need for merchants to protect themselves against potential attacks without compromising on conversion and user satisfaction.
MasterCard was also in the news this week on that same security front, as it was announced they are partnering with First Tech credit union for “a pilot program that will enable First Tech employees to authenticate and verify transactions using facial recognition and fingerprint biometrics.”
However, they will conduct this initial test in a controlled environment where First Tech employees will utilize artificial funds and biometrics. In other words, a kind of “test internet” rather than in the real thing, where no one is ready for biometric ID just yet. The program will “test the potential of delivering greater security and convenience to First Tech’s U.S. cardholders by verifying identity via facial photographs or fingerprint scans conducted on smartphones.”
No word yet on how privacy advocates feel about the use of facial recognition software in this context, but it’s clear that counter-measures against breaches will continue to change much as payment technology has.
The EMV Conversion and Changing Rules
And as you know, the first big change is coming to the U.S. in just over a month, as the “EMV conversion” deadline approaches for use with “chip-equipped” cards, business owners might want to check the merchant page at the GoChipCard website, for additional information and help.
As the site notes, “the rules are changing. Starting October 2015, merchants accepting chip-enabled cards will receive protection against fraud losses caused by counterfeit magnetic stripe card transactions, just like they do today. Merchants will assume liability for fraudulent transactions if they do not have chip-enabled payment terminals in stores, shifting the responsibility from issuers to the merchants. Fraud liability for lost or stolen cards varies by payment network.”
But yes, the times, and “the rules” are changing, which is where we came in this week. Customers are buying on different schedules, and will be paying for it in different ways. AVPS can help you get ready on both counts –whether you need to upgrade payment options, expand them, or simply want to get a jumpstart for the holiday season.
Right after “back to school” wraps up, of course.
See you as September beckons!
