It was a busy week in payments news. We’ve got a must-read list of 10 small business cybersecurity facts you should know. There’s also a look at the strategy behind retailer H&M’s investment in online payments company Klarna and Zebra Technologies’ 2018 Shopper Study. We wrap up this issue of Payments NEXT news with a profile of Target’s new Smartly discount brands designed to compete with Amazon, Walmart and dollar stores.
10 SMB cybersecurity facts you should know
Dell shares some valuable cybersecurity facts and figures. Here are just 10 reasons small to midsize business need to make cybersecurity a priority. 4,000-plus ransomware attacks occur daily on business networks and home computers. 20% of businesses have been victimized by cyberattacks. Read more…
Retailer H&M invests in payments firm Klarna
In an unusual deal, Swedish-headquartered fast fashion retailer H&M invested $20 million to acquire under 1% of online payments firm Klarna. H&M will implement Klarna’s payments platform in its retail and online channels to provide shoppers with what it calls a “frictionless” payments experience starting in 14 EU countries including the UK and Sweden and eventually in the US and Asia. Read more…
Zebra 2018 Shopper Vision Study: Shopper friction
Did you know nearly half of customers are still dissatisfied with the customer service that’s offered in-store and online? According to Zebra Technologies’ 2018 Shopper Study, 44% of shoppers are not satisfied with staff availability and customer service in-store while 55% are unhappy with the same online. That’s a lot of shopper friction. Read more…
Target goes after competition with Smartly brand discounts
Target’s newly-announced Smartly brand private-label discount products may turn out to be its most effective defense against competitors ranging from Amazon and Walmart to dollar stores. Target introduced a whole line of more than 70 everyday items, from all-purpose cleaner and body lotion to paper plates and razor blades—with most items less than $2. Products will start arriving in store on October 14 with additional products coming in early 2019. Read more…
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