Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Merchants Beware: Consumer Revolt Brewing


Merchants' shift of payment methods could cost dearly

LIVONIA, Mich.Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Merchants Beware: Consumers will revolt and stop shopping with merchants who try to shift them to payment vehicles that are less expensive for the merchant but less convenient for their customers.  The warning comes from Market Strategies International, a global market research and consulting firm.  
"If merchants decided to stop accepting the consumer's preferred credit card, a full 30 percent would simply stop shopping with that merchant," said Mark Willard, senior vice president of Market Strategies' Financial Services Division.  
The information, which illustrates consumers' impatience with merchants, comes from Market Strategies' new Consumer Financial Outlook study, conducted September 23-29.  When asked a series of questions regarding what they would do if merchants stopped accepting various methods of payment, or introduced minimum charge amounts, many consumers' first response simply would be to "stop shopping at that merchant."
"Alternately, if merchants decided to stop accepting debit cards, 32 percent would stop shopping with that merchant," said Willard.
"The concern for merchants is that they are being squeezed by rising merchant transaction fees from financial institutions without being able to raise prices to compensate," Willard goes on to say.  "With retail sales already depressed, merchants can't cavalierly limit payment flexibility and convenience without the risk of losing a full third of their customers."
The pressure on merchants will continue as they are forced to consider even more new methods of payment including the increased use of mobile "smart phone" technology and their evolving fee structures.  
Market Strategies' Consumer Financial Outlook study was conducted online using the uSamp online panel, with 2006 respondents from U.S. consumers between the ages of 21-70.  The data were weighted to reflect the U.S. Census demographics.
For more information about this study, contact Mark Willard at 734.542.7644 or mark.willard@marketstrategies.com.
Market Strategies International
Market Strategies International is a market research and consulting firm specializing in communications, energy, financial services, healthcare and technology.  Our expertise includes Customer Experience Management, Product Development and Optimization, Segmentation, Messaging and Communications Testing and Brand Development and Positioning.  Founded in 1989, Market Strategies is the 17th largest research firm in the U.S. according to "Honomichl Top 50," published in the June 2010 issue of Marketing News.  Visit www.marketstrategies.com for more information.
SOURCE Market Strategies International

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E-Commerce Report 2010 from Deutsche Card Services


E-Commerce Report 2010 – Trends in Consumer and Payment Behaviour in E-Commerce on the Basis of Real-Life Transactions
In 2010 the E-Commerce Report (formerly known as "Pago Report") has been published for the ninth time.

The E-Commerce Report is based on the evaluation of more than 24 million real-life purchase transactions processed on the Deutsche Card Services platform between October 2008 and September 2009. The annual study has established itself as one of the most important e-commerce surveys all over Europe because it is the only report based on real transactions instead of interviews. All evaluated data were fully anonymised, and all data protection precautions were duly carried out.
In co-operation with experts from a popular market research institute, purchasing and payment behaviour of consumers from Germany, UK, the rest of Europe, and the non-European countries were analysed using established statistical methods. The result is an comprehensive insight into the status quo in e-commerce concerning purchasing and payment behaviour, non-payment risk and industry specifications.

The E-Commerce Report 2010 is available in the [Shop] for 500 euros plus VAT.





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MasterCard MarketPlace™ Should Be Top of Your Online Holiday Shopping List




MasterCard MarketPlace™ Launches Unprecedented Number of Overwhelming Offers and Brand-Name Discounts throughout the Holiday Season
PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To provide consumers with superior savings during the busy holiday shopping season, MasterCard Worldwide announced today that it will be expanding its Overwhelming Offers program on MasterCard MarketPlace™ – the company’s personalized online shopping portal – to deliver daily Black Friday-like deals every day from now through December 24, 2010, excluding Thanksgiving day.
“MasterCard MarketPlace offers cardholders the advantage of doing your holiday shopping at your convenience – wherever you want, whenever you want”
The MasterCard Marketplace Holiday Overwhelming Offers:
  • Launch at 1 p.m. EST seven days per week at www.mastercardmarketplace.com
  • Provide cardholders savings of 50 percent off or more on purchases from brand-name merchants, such as Barnes & Noble and Toys“R”Us for electronics, toys, entertainment and much more
  • Are available exclusively to MasterCard cardholders
“MasterCard is pleased to offer our cardholders significant savings through our online shopping destination MasterCard MarketPlace this holiday season,” said Cheryl Guerin, SVP, Group Head of US Marketing at MasterCard Worldwide. “We want our cardholders to view MasterCard Marketplace as their one-stop online resource where they can find deeply discounted holiday gifts for family and friends."
From now until December 24th, MasterCard MarketPlace is overloaded with great values on holiday essentials, ranging from the hottest electronic gadgets to the must-have toy of the season.”
Since first launching MasterCard MarketPlace in April 2010 in partnership with Next Jump, Inc., a next-generation e-commerce company, the portal has quickly become the destination for personalized shopping deals at more than 25,000 merchants nationwide across 19 categories – from entertainment to travel, computers, electronics, apparel, and more.
“MasterCard MarketPlace offers cardholders the advantage of doing your holiday shopping at your convenience – wherever you want, whenever you want,” said Melody Miller, Group Head of Commerce Solutions at MasterCard Worldwide. “While other customers are standing outside stores to get the best Black Friday deals, MasterCard MarketPlace shoppers can receive their savings every day from the comfort of their own home.”
A fully-integrated marketing platform also launches today in support of the program. It includes broadcast and online advertising, as well as social media initiatives.
For more information, please visit www.MasterCardMarketPlace.com.

MASTERCARD Inc. (MA)  
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About MasterCard Worldwide
As a leading global payments company, MasterCard Worldwide prides itself on being at the heart of commerce, helping to make life easier and more efficient for everyone, everywhere. MasterCard serves as a franchisor, processor and advisor to the payments industry, and makes commerce happen by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, governments, businesses, merchants, and cardholders worldwide. In 2009, $2.5 trillion in gross dollar volume was generated on its products by consumers around the world. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network — the fastest payment processing network in the world — MasterCard processes over 22 billion transactions each year, has the capacity to handle 140 million transactions per hour, with an average network response time of 140 milliseconds and with 99.99 percent reliability. MasterCard advances global commerce through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro®, and Cirrus®; its suite of core products such as credit, debit, and prepaid; and its innovative platforms and functionalities, such as MasterCard PayPass™ and MasterCard inControl™. MasterCard serves consumers, governments, and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information, please visit us at www.mastercard.com. Follow us on Twitter:@mastercardnews.

Contacts

MasterCard Worldwide
Media Relations:
Sarah Ely, 914-249-6714
sarah_ely@mastercard.com
or
Investor Relations:
Gregory Boosin, 914-249-4565
investor_relations@mastercard.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101122006436/en/MasterCard-MarketPlace%E2%84%A2-Top-Online-Holiday-Shopping-List

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Visa Adds New Features to Rightcliq by Visa, Including Google Chrome Browser Support


Visa Debit logoImage via Wikipedia
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visa Inc. (NYSE:V), the global payments technology leader, introduced a series of enhancements to Rightcliq by Visa that add even more convenience and security to the online shopping experience. The enhancements will nearly triple the number of discounts available to online shoppers, make it even easier to track shipments to their doorstep and include support for the Google Chrome browser.
Google Chrome IconImage via Wikipedia
“These enhancements are another example of how we are continuing to build Rightcliq by listening to our users and delivering the features they want most.”
“Our goal at Visa has always been to create a series of products and services that make shopping easier for consumers,” said Gerry Sweeney, global head of ecommerce and authentication, Visa Inc. “These enhancements are another example of how we are continuing to build Rightcliq by listening to our users and delivering the features they want most.”
Rightcliq was launched by Visa earlier this year, addressing many of the frustration points consumers experience while shopping online and helping them make smart online buying decisions. Consumers can use Rightcliq with almost any shopping site on the Internet, instantly collect and organize potential purchases in a “Wishspace” and share the Wishspace on their social networks to seek advice. When it’s time to buy, Rightcliq lets consumers automatically fill in online forms, select a payment card from a list held securely by Visa and complete their purchase. Rightcliq even helps track shipments to the consumer’s door so they can feel confident that their holiday gifts will arrive in time.
According to a recent Visa survey, nearly two-thirds of holiday shoppers will ‘make their list and check it twice,’ describing themselves as responsible and organized shoppers. The ‘virtual wishlist’ Wishspace feature of Rightcliq makes it the perfect tool for shoppers this holiday season. Also, Rightcliq’s coupons will be welcomed by the 76 percent of survey respondents who say they will be motivated to shop online more if a site can instantly show discounts and promotions1.
More Offers Save Shoppers Money
Visa has expanded its partnerships with leading merchants to deliver nearly three times as many offers for Rightcliq users. As consumers browse participating merchants’ web pages, offers will drop down from the browser tool bar or appear in the Wishspace. Consumers can even share these discounts with their social networks via email or Facebook.
“We all know that time is money, but with Rightcliq’s expanded offers, online shoppers can save time while saving money,” added Sweeney. “Getting Rightcliq offers is as simple as surfing the websites consumers already love. As they browse, offers will drop down from the browser tool bar ready for shoppers to redeem, exclusively from Visa.”
Automatic Package Tracking is as Simple as an Email
Tracking purchase and shipment information is now even easier for Rightcliq users. When a consumer receives their shipping confirmation email, they can simply forward it totrackit@rightcliq.visa.com and the Rightcliq team will populate their purchases tracker and shipping status. This extends the value of Rightcliq throughout the online shopping process, all the way to the consumer’s doorstep.
New Browser, New Educational Tools
New Rightcliq features are available to users of all compatible browsers – which now includes the Google Chrome browser. This connects the ease of Visa’s online shopping technology with one of the most popular browsers on the market and continues Visa’s extension of Rightcliq to the widest possible number of consumers.
To help those consumers enjoy more Rightcliq even more, Visa has created a new homepage video at www.rightcliq.visa.com. This video provides a short and fun demonstration of Rightcliq’s features.
Visa has also created a Facebook page for Rightcliq users, and everyone else who enjoys shopping online. The page, at www.facebook.com/visapowertotheshopper, is all about the online shopping experience and making it better. Fans of the page can receive cool offers, get tips from shopping experts and share their experiences and thoughts about what makes millions of people love to shop online every day.
“The power of Visa’s digital currency is a foundation for online shopping today, and we’re always working to make it even more valuable,” Sweeney said. “Rightcliq helps connect that value to consumers right on their browser. Along with Visa’s other innovative eCommerce tools, we’re making it possible for people to use their laptop or mobile device to buy what they want, when they want, all with the convenience and security of Visa.”
How to Enroll in Rightcliq
To learn more about or enroll in Rightcliq by Visa, U.S. consumers can visit http://rightcliq.visa.com.
About Visa Inc.
Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world’s most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 10,000 transactions a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa’s innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.
1 Visa Online Shopping Survey, June 2010

Contacts

Visa Inc.
Paul Wilke, 415-881-7995
globalmedia@visa.com
or
Fleishman-Hillard
Colleen Smith, 415-318-4183
colleen.smith@fleishman.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101123005437/en/Visa-Adds-Features-Rightcliq-Visa-Including-Google



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Visa Offering International Online Shopping Solutions for Consumers This Holiday Season to Access the Global Brands They Love

Visa Debit logoImage via Wikipedia
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) today announced a series of promotions with two online shopping services - Borderlinx in 12 countries around the world and SkyBOX in more than 40 countries in Latin America - making it easier for Visa cardholders to shop on the internet for items from the United States this holiday season.
“Visa recognizes that online shopping is constantly evolving due to changing consumer behavior and the advent, availability and adoption of new technologies. We will continue working to find innovative ways to build new products and services that increase the value of digital currency.”
Borderlinx and SkyBOX are two of the world’s leading eCommerce shopping enablement services for consumers and merchants. Visa cardholders in Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Kuwait, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia and UAE can now register with Borderlinx (www.borderlinx.visa.com) for free and enjoy shopping at thousands of online merchants from the U.S. and the U.K. Through SkyBOX (www.skybox.net/visa), Visa cardholders in any Latin American or Caribbean country can also register for free and shop at online U.S. merchants. Both Borderlinx and SkyBOX services provide shoppers with a personalized U.S. shipping address to which retailers can mail purchased items. Borderlinx and SkyBOX then arrange for these items to be delivered to the cardholder’s home country.
To promote these cross-border online shopping enablement services and provide value to cardholders, Visa has developed exclusive offers including lucky draws, shopping sprees and discounts. For card-issuing banks, Visa is making available customized platforms in select geographies around the world intended to help issuers nurture and grow cross-border eCommerce sales (issuers can emailinternationalecommerce@visa.com for more information).
Visa cardholders purchasing via Borderlinx and SkyBOX will enjoy fast delivery and competitive prices. On top of free registration, Borderlinx is offering a 10 percent savings for Visa cardholders in select countries during promotion periods. In Latin America, SkyBOX is offering a $10 discount on their first shipment on top of free registration. Shoppers are urged to check bothwww.borderlinx.visa.com and www.skybox.net/visa, for country-specific offers.
VISA INC. (V)  
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Gerry Sweeney, global head of ecommerce and authentication, Visa Inc. said, “One inhibitor to the growth of cross-border eCommerce is the delivery of goods. In many countries, buying from U.S.-based online merchants has proven to be costly and logistically complicated. We partner with logistic service providers like Borderlinx and SkyBOX to remove obstacles to cross-border eCommerce transactions by enabling international Visa cardholders to shop online and purchase from thousands of U.S.-based retail stores that wouldn’t normally ship overseas.”
Sweeney added, “Visa recognizes that online shopping is constantly evolving due to changing consumer behavior and the advent, availability and adoption of new technologies. We will continue working to find innovative ways to build new products and services that increase the value of digital currency.”
Visa’s partnership with Borderlinx and SkyBOX and the facilitation of product shipments from the U.S. are part of Visa’s global eCommerce efforts to deliver a more satisfying online shopping experience for consumers while also creating an environment that delivers more profitable online sales to merchants.
Shoppers can register for the Borderlinx service online at (www.borderlinx.visa.com) and SkyBOX at (www.skybox.net/visa).
About Visa
Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world’s most advanced processing networks — VisaNet — that is capable of handling more than 10,000 transactions a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa’s innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visitwww.corporate.visa.com.

Contacts

Visa Inc.
Paul Wilke, 415-881-7995
globalmedia@visa.com
or
Fleishman-Hillard
Colleen Smith, 415-318-4183
colleen.smith@fleishman.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101123005432/en/Visa-Offering-International-Online-Shopping-Solutions-Consumers

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Discover® U.S. Spending MonitorSM Shows Encouraging Signs for Retailers Approaching Black Friday


http://www.discoverfinancial.comBig Drop in Number of Consumers Planning to Spend Less this Year on Holiday Gifts Compared to Last Year, 18- to 39- Year Olds, Affluent Consumers Signaling Higher Holiday Spending Intentions
RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The number of shoppers who say they expect to spend less this holiday season has fallen 10 percentage points from this time last year, according to early data from the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor. The news, coupled with increased spending intentions on the part of younger and more affluent consumers, may signal happier holidays for retailers this season.
Last November, 65 percent of consumers said they were going to spend less on holiday gifts than they did the year before. This year only 55 percent feel that way. Of the 10 percent who shifted, the majority said they would spend about the same, but one in four said they would be spending more this year.
The Monitor also reported that both young shoppers and people in higher income brackets may be willing to open their wallets a little more this year. More than 14 percent of consumers, ages 18-39, are looking to spend more than they did a year ago, up from 11 percent in November 2009. Similarly, there was an increase – from 9 percent in 2009 to 12 percent this year – in the number of consumers with incomes over $75,000 who said they expect to spend more in 2010.
Consumers aren’t quite ready to rack up holiday spending increases on par with what the Monitor reported in 2007, before the recession. One in five expected to spend more on holiday gifts than the previous year. This year, only 10 percent are looking to spend more in 2010 than they did in 2009. Nonetheless, that’s up from 7 percent the year before and represents the first time since 2007 that the numbers have reached double digits.
Full results for the November Discover U.S. Spending Monitor will be released on Wednesday, Dec. 8. For more survey data, charts and information, please visitwww.discoverfinancial.com/surveys/spending.shtml.
About Discover U.S. Spending Monitor
The Discover® U.S. Spending MonitorSM is a monthly index of consumer spending intentions and capacity that is based on interviews with a random sample of 8,200 U.S. adults conducted at a rate of 275 per night. In addition to spending, the survey asks consumers their opinions on the U.S. economy and their personal finances. The Monitor began in May 2007 with a base index of 100. Surveys are conducted by Rasmussen Reports, an independent survey research firm (www.rasmussenreports.com).
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company operates the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers personal and student loans, online savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its Discover Bank subsidiary. Its payment businesses consist of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.

Contacts

Discover
Matthew Towson
224-405-5649
matthewtowson@discover.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101123005032/en/Discover%C2%AE-U.S.-Spending-MonitorSM-Shows-Encouraging-Signs

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