Retail, Grocery, And Hospitality IT News For VARs — August 21, 2014
In the news, a data breach at 51 UPS Stores locations is under investigation. In other news, Heartland Payment Systems acquires mPOS solution creator Leaf. Also, studies confirm business travelers’ interest in virtual payment, and conclude beacons could be the most important technology for retail since the card reader.
UPS Data Breach Under Investigation
UPS Stores report this week that a security breach could have resulted in theft of payment card information. A New York Times article reports the breach was detected July 31 after UPS hired an information security firm that discovered malware on its point of sale systems at 51 of its locations. UPS states it eliminated the malware as of Aug. 11.
Heartland Payment Systems Acquires Leaf
Payment processor Heartland Payment Systems announced that it acquired Leaf, creator of a mobile Point of Sale (POS) tablet specifically designed for commerce. Leaf will continue to be payments agnostic. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Virtual Payment Has Appeal For Business Travelers
A survey by the GBTA Foundation confirms business travelers’ interest in virtual payment, and according to 4 Hoteliers article, when presented with features, non-users’ interest spiked. Among those benefits are easier payment reconciliation, improved security, improved compliance with travel policy, and centralized payment of hotel and air travel.
Study Asserts Beacons Are The Most Important Retail Tech Since Card Readers
Business Insider has released its BI Intelligence “Beacons Report.” The study predicts there will be 4.5 million beacons transmitting by the end of 2018, and half of the top 100 retailers are testing them this year. The report looks at how beacons are being used, what retailers want to accomplish with this technology, and evidence that location-based apps drive more in-store sales.
Report Indicates Digital Signage Market Will Grow
Digital Signage Today has released its fifth Digital Signage Future Trends Report. The report shows only 11.4 percent of restaurants surveyed use digital signage for drive-thru menu boards, and only 10 percent of retailers surveyed have deployed digital signage. In education, only a small percentage of those surveyed don’t already have digital signage — but of those who do not, most plan to deploy it in the next few years.
IT Talking Points
A Retail Week article asks “Has retail technology moved from cost saver to profit maker?”
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s
- Retail IT Tech Center
- Grocery and Convenience Store Tech Center
- Hospitality Tech Center