The Changing Pace of Payments: Why Merchant Payments May Never Be the Same Again

The shift from in-store to online payments has been almost instantaneous; contactless transactions have soared; cash volumes have dropped drastically; automation at the POS has increased; and, more than ever, merchants are vying to leverage their payments arrangements to survive, and thrive, at this critical time.

As well as accelerating existing trends, the pandemic is also introducing new, unexpected dynamics. Many of these developments are by no means temporary: the impacts of lockdown restrictions and changes in consumer habits are likely to last well beyond the pandemic itself.

The U.S. payments landscape may never be the same again – and merchants must prepare now to ensure they survive and thrive in the years ahead. To support the merchant community in taking the right steps in the short-, medium- and long-term, we’re launching a brand new series of webinars. Providing practical guidance on next steps, as well as unique insights into exactly what trends we’re currently seeing, ‘The Changing Pace of Payments’ webinar series is your single source of everything you need to know about payments both during and after the pandemic.

Any strategy for navigating these changes needs to consider two distinct phases: surviving and thriving. In our first two webinars, we’ll be concentrating on the survival phase. With a focus on the shift to online transactions and the rise of contactless in the face-to-face environment, our experts will guide you through the key challenges and opportunities in payments today.

Later in the series, we’ll explore what merchants can do to truly thrive in the new retail environment. The retail industry can no longer afford to lose sales to poor customer experience, falsely declined transactions, and the inability to accept the right payment types. Market-leading merchants have long acknowledged the value of payments in maximizing revenue, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty, and minimizing risk.

Now is the time double down on these strategies: and our experts will highlight exactly what you should be focusing on to ensure you don’t fall behind your retail peers.