Grocers Look to New E-Commerce Solutions

As e-commerce contributes more and more to sales, grocers are turning to new models to get customers their groceries easier and faster than the competition. Back in May, we learned about how U.S. chain Kroger is partnering with the UK's Ocado. Ocado is an online grocery retailer known for using robots instead of people to process and pack orders reported Reuters (May 17). Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen called the partnership "transformative" and told Reuters how it would accelerate the company's efforts to give customers anything, anytime, anywhere. Currently, Kroger already offers an online grocery delivery service but orders are filled at individual stores and delivery is handled in-house and by third-party providers.

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FBI Resource Centers, along with our website and business partners, offer our members business education, technical training, sourcing, networking, marketing and consulting services. These services promote the success of FBI members and insure the future vibrancy of America's fashion industry.

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POS Solutions, POS Retail, Ecommerce Merchandising

How To Avoid Overpaying On Your POS Processing Fees

Article | June 10, 2024

Running a small business requires a tight eye on profits. More than likely, you will face scenarios in which you incur higher transaction fees you didn’t expect and could have avoided in the first place. Knowing how to navigate processing fees is a key part of your success. Whether you run a single location, a multi-location business, or even a mobile business, avoiding unnecessary fees should be part of the game plan. Unfortunately, less-than-reputable POS providers are out there, and understanding fees associated with taking payment from customers isn’t easy, but knowing what to look for will help. In this article, we cover fees to keep an eye on and how to save more on your processing fees. How To Avoid Paying Unnecessary Credit Card Processing Fees Unfortunately, if you want to accept credit and debit cards as a form of payment in your business, you’re going to experience processing fees. The financial benefits outweigh the transaction costs, but you can still save some money on your POS system and credit card processing. Negotiate Your Processing Fees The reason it can be so hard to understand the actual cost of processing fees is that many merchant service providers bury fees in the fine print, and these fees can come back to haunt you. In general, the more upfront a company is about all its charges, the more trustworthy and reliable they are because they have nothing to hide, and typically those rates will be fair. But it also helps to keep an eye on certain aspects of a contract. You can then negotiate them or repackage services to boost your profits. Transaction Fees: Choose The Right Plan When setting up your contract, you are given the option of a range of credit card pricing plans. Here are three of the most common pricing models. Interchange Plus Fee Pricing This option offers different transaction rates for different card types, bank issuers, methods of transactions, and more. By understanding these fees when processing transactions, you can benefit financially by encouraging the usage of certain cards or procedures that are least costly. Tiered Pricing In this scenario, you are charged different rates for different tiers created by your provider. It’s important to evaluate this option carefully because most transactions can fall into a less favorable tier rate. Flat-fee Structure Pricing This fee allows for one charge for card-present (CP) transactions and another for card-not-present (CNP) transactions, regardless of card type. This predictable, one-rate pricing model is easy to follow, allowing you to encourage a lower cents-per-transaction option and formulate special pricing deals. However flat-rate can sometimes come out as more expensive than interchange-plus pricing. How To Avoid Monthly PCI Compliance Charges A semi-regular fee many merchants run into is not falling in line with PCI Compliant in how they handle payment information. Being PCI compliant means maintaining important standards for customer data protection, and it is taken seriously. Compliance is required for major credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard and is becoming more popular as businesses continue to shift to online sales. Rule enforcement is most often the responsibility of payment processing companies. Your provider will charge you two fees: a PCI compliance fee – which is once a year – and a PCI non-compliance fee – which occurs every month you have not completed your yearly PCI Compliance audit. Providers are free to charge however much they like for each service, and it can range anywhere between $30-$99 a month. Monthly charges are done both directly or indirectly via higher monthly fees, processing rates, or both. In some cases, the charges begin months after originally signing up with the processors hoping you won’t keep a close eye on all your ongoing processing fees. As a merchant service provider, we at BNG Point-Of-Sale have a long and reliable history in helping our customers practice PCI Compliance within their business and avoid non-compliance fees. PCI Compliance is necessary and it does require some work by the processors, so the charges aren’t a hoax, but there are some ways to keep costs down: You can take on the responsibility of PCI Compliance yourself and forgo the processor’s fee; however, you will be on your own if issues arise. In today’s world of increasing e-commerce, it’s not recommended. You can prevent the risk of non-compliance fees by working with companies that handle compliance internally. If they (not you) are the source of customer purchasing data, they are automatically in charge of it. Square and PayPal are examples of companies that handle all PCI Compliance, and we often account for these services when onboarding our customers and annually remind them to follow PCI Compliance. At first glance, it may appear you are not charged by these companies for compliance and non-compliance, but in reality, compliance is still built into the standard fee for service; you just won’t see it specified. Still, you won’t be responsible for non-compliance fees since they own the data and are fully responsible for it. The amount of compliance required of your business depends on how you take in payment and store customer data. Since processors have numerous clients and prefer not to get specific about it, they may charge a basic fee to cover most issues. This means you could be overpaying, so it’s a good area to evaluate this price of the packaged service vs. when it is priced individually. There may be companies that don’t charge for compliance, but they are rare and may be suspect. In most cases, any free compliance is covered with higher fees in other areas. How To Avoid Chargeback Fees Chargeback fees should be avoided since they are more expensive than traditional transaction fees – especially if you are categorized as a “high risk” client. The first step is to avoid chargebacks in the first place. Chargebacks can be the result of sales errors by you and your team, a misunderstanding by the customer, or the result of identity theft. Here are some ways to combat each. Reduce Transaction Errors Know when to stop a transaction. If an error occurs, push the cancel/hold button inside the transaction. If you are unable to do this, the transaction has already been claimed by the processing company. Accurately process credits as credits and sales as sales. Receive an Authorization Approval Code (AAC) before running a transaction. Before batching your credit card processing at the end of the day, review all charges to verify all charges are correct and not duplicated. Keeping this as an active daily routine can prevent costly mistakes. Ensure shipped items arrive to the customer to avoid disputes. Select the “ship product to billing address” to alleviate data error. Keep Records Of Voids Provide records to your customer of any proof of voids and include companion documentation for any disputes showing details of each purchase. Decrease Risk Of Theft If your processor charges more for card-not-present transactions, which most do, it’s because the risk of theft is higher. By requiring a driver’s license and signature and doing manually keyed-in card payments in person rather than over the phone, you lower the risk and enjoy lower charges per transaction. Try to avoid non-qualified processing (when a card isn’t present or keyed or is missing billing information.) This type of processing is considered a high-risk factor, and processors charge accordingly. When Possible, Run Orders On Debit Cards Debit cards are considered a lower risk than credit cards and, in turn, the transaction rates are quite a bit less. This has mostly to do with the fact the purchase is a direct bank-to-bank transaction, but other factors make a difference such as PIN verification and signature requirements, bringing these purchases into a lower risk category. And typically the rates hold. You will still experience rate differences among debit cards related to how the purchases are conducted and who the issuing bank is. Special incentives such as loyalty programs for debit card users help to easily boost profits. A Final Thought On Keeping Processing Fees Low As you can see, several variables can affect your processing rates. From fines to the pricing model your merchant service provider recommends, there’s a lot to consider. As tempting as it can be to just try and find the cheapest option, be careful going with the lowest bidder. Remember, all POS and payment processing providers have to make some money to cover the costs of support their merchants. If you choose a processor with incredibly low fees, you run the risk of getting what you pay for when it comes to supporting your business. If you’re not sure if you’re overpaying on your processing fees and want a free analysis, let our team review your current monthly statements and we’ll let you know if you’re getting a good deal or not.

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POS Retail

Retail Industry Forecast for 2022

Article | May 10, 2024

While retail has faced its fair share of challenges over the last two years, the pandemic has also provided an opportunity for a long-overdue great retail reset, which could help many retailers move into a more stable—and profitable—position. To get there, you must balance short-term challenges with long-term commitments and transformational thinking. For nearly two years, predictions about the future of retail have appeared pessimistic, and retail headlines for 2022 don't look much better: empty store shelves, over one million unfilled retail jobs1, and surging inflation. However, these headwinds have resulted in some positive outcomes: retailers have been forced to re-examine legacy systems and strategies that have shaped the industry for years. To reap long-term and long-lasting benefits, retailers should continue down the remediation path they started at the start of the pandemic in 2022. Indeed, the next 12 months’ present opportunities to restructure obsolete supply chains, rightsize inventory management, review pricing, rebalance promotional cadences, and reinvent the physical store for the digital age. This will almost certainly necessitate entirely new ways of thinking and long-term commitments from retailers, but these efforts have the potential to forever change the way retailers do business. That future begins today by addressing short-term retail challenges with a long-term perspective. Three retail industry priorities and trends The resulting data, when combined with insights from 15 Deloitte retail subject-matter specialists, client work, and prior research, provides a snapshot of strategies and investment plans that help inform the industry's future. Reimagine the workforce Supply chain resiliency Digital revolution Retailers face significant challenges that will almost certainly outlast the pandemic, but there are also unexpected opportunities that can help them prepare for future disruptions. Retailers should embrace the current disruption and commit to a future pivot. To learn more, download our complete 2022 retail industry outlook.

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POS Solutions

Why You Should Acquire a Cloud-Based Point of Sale System

Article | March 18, 2024

"Digital is a very busy ecosystem, so nail first what you are trying to achieve, who you are trying to engage with and what you want to convey." - Yolanda Valery, Head of Digital Engagement at Ocado Group. In this age of networked businesses, connectivity and technological advancements impact the payment system. POS systems may sound familiar to retailers. However, you may also be aware of the term "cloud computing," which has garnered much attention in modern technology. Consequently, you must combine POS technology with cloud technologies. It is also advantageous for brick-and-mortar businesses that wish to construct a neater, more contemporary register and reduce wait times by collecting payments from many locations. Investigating and making the switch to a point-of-sale (POS) system that is hosted in the cloud is something that businesses ought to do for a number of different reasons. Let's take a quick look at them in-depth. Reasons to Shift to Cloud-Based POS System: According to Cloud POS Market Statistics 2028, the worldwide cloud POS market was valued at $2.24 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $13.24 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 24.5 percent from 2020 to 2028. Robust Security Security is one incentive to using cloud-based POS, which reduces risk. Possessing a POS system may considerably reduce all types of danger. If you've selected cloud-based POS software, your data is in good hands with tight security standards and automated backup and synchronization through a remote server. Without sensitive cardholder data to steal, SMBs can dramatically lower the likelihood of a data breach. Cloud-based POS systems play a crucial part in ensuring that SMBs provide their clients with the most significant payment experience possible. Better Remote Control of Your Operations Cloud-based POS software helps you better handle your operations remotely by allowing you to monitor the performance of your various departments while you are absent. This enables you to respond quickly to any potential difficulties. You can manage your business and obtain essential information from anywhere. Your POS terminals will communicate information in real-time, allowing them to stay flawlessly connected even if you have different retail locations. Cost Reduction Profitability and expenditure management should be your top concerns when selecting a POS software solution for your firm. The project becomes lucrative immediately by choosing a POS system, particularly a cloud-based one. The initial expenditure is small, and the software vendor assumes most of the IT administration responsibilities. Most cloud-based point-of-sale systems are offered as SaaS models with no upfront charges and cheap monthly fees. In addition to decreasing labor expenses, these solutions improve worker utilization. Cloud POS Mobility The use of cloud-based POS software increases your mobility and adaptability. It is compatible with many desktops and mobile internet-connected devices. With 24/7 access to all system reports, you can manage your business from around the globe. Your employees may accept credit card payments and email receipts to customers at any moment. Seamless Integration Last but not least, cloud POS systems may be coupled with various other methods, including accounting, buying, and inventory management systems. Cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) systems that enable simple integration and scalability are necessary for SMBs in a rapidly changing business environment. Integration with several other systems will further simplify the operations of your retail business and increase sales. Bottom line: It is evident that cloud-based POS systems are essential for SMBs and a precondition for integrating them into your daily operations. The reasons for using cloud-based POS software are innumerable; we have only enumerated a handful. Therefore, consider cloud-based POS if you have decided to move to a POS system.

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Diversify Your 3PL Warehouse for Ecommerce

Article | April 16, 2020

In today’s changing landscape for third-party logistics warehouses, the ability to evolve is more important than ever. One of the best ways to meet this challenge is to shift from traditional B2B fulfillment to ecommerce workflows. With more than 2 billion digital buyers worldwide, and the total global retail ecommerce sales estimated to reach $4.13 trillion this year, warehouses looking to adapt will be able to continue to help their customers meet the growing demands of online buyers. In this webinar, you will learn the best practices used by 3PLs looking to make the move to ecommerce or how to enhance their ecommerce operations.

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Fashion Business Inc.

FBI Resource Centers, along with our website and business partners, offer our members business education, technical training, sourcing, networking, marketing and consulting services. These services promote the success of FBI members and insure the future vibrancy of America's fashion industry.

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e-commerce

Citi Integrates U.S. Institutional eCommerce Payments and Electronic Bill Presentment Platforms

Citi | October 31, 2022

Spring by Citi, Citi’s digital payments service enabling ecommerce and B2B funds flows launched in the U.S. in 2020, has now been fully integrated with Citi® Present and Pay, Citi’s electronic bill presentment platform. The combined solution offers comprehensive digital payment acceptance and electronic bill presentment in one integrated platform. With the new solution, Citi’s institutional clients will now have the ability to both collect payments across a full range of U.S. payment methods and provide world-class digital billing capabilities through a single contracting structure with Citi and a single technical integration, helping them save time and streamlining implementation. Previously, support for all relevant payment methods would have required a connection to an external third party – this comprehensive solution now makes it possible for payment acceptance all in one single contracting structure with Citi. “For many companies, the ability to offer their customers a fully digital billing experience can be very complex; requiring various third parties, and it is often expensive to migrate away from using manual, time-intensive paper-based processes,This new combined solution gives our clients an easier way to digitize their invoice presentment and payment processes, providing additional payment options to their customers.” Anupam Sinha, North America Payments and Receivables Head, Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions. The combined solution helps institutional clients simplify access to the following services through a single contracting structure and technical integration: More options for their customers to pay from a wide range of U.S. payment methods, including credit and debit cards, ACH direct debit and real-time Requests for Payment, and alternative payment methods such as digital wallets Ability for their customers to receive and pay their bills via a variety of methods, including web/mobile web, secure email, SMS text and voice (automated IVR and live customer service) Ability to validate payer bank account details in real-time to help ensure compliance with NACHA related to ACH direct debits without needing an additional technical integration with another third party As a trusted treasury bank to leading enterprises, we are always looking for ways to make it easier for our clients to use our solutions and we are constantly innovating to help reduce friction for them," continued Sinha. “The integration of Spring by Citi with Citi Present and Pay is one of several initiatives targeted at helping institutional billers address pain points associated with accepting digital payments. About Spring by Citi Spring by Citi is an end-to-end digital payments service enabling ecommerce and B2B funds flows, globally. Built on top of Citi TTS's industry-leading and proprietary payments network, Spring by Citi delivers seamless market-relevant payment experiences, combined with a robust set of globally consistent treasury solutions. This comprehensive solution helps businesses optimize their marketplace payments, business-to-business and direct-to-consumer transaction flows. In parallel, Citi's embedded FX, enhanced reconciliation and reporting capabilities help ensure that the critical needs of corporate treasury, payment operations, marketing and sales teams are met. For more information, visit www.spring.citi.com. About Citi® Present and Pay Citi Present and Pay enables clients to distribute digital billing information across multiple communication channels based on a consumer’s preference, including secure email, SMS text, Interactive Voice Recognition / phone, web and mobile web experiences, and digital voice assistants. The omni-channel electronic bill presentment and payment platform also collects corresponding payments via multiple forms of payments. Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) enables our clients' success by providing an integrated suite of innovative and tailored cash management and trade finance services to multinational corporations, financial institutions and public sector organizations across the globe. Based on the foundation of the industry's largest proprietary network with banking licenses in over 90 countries and globally integrated technology platforms, TTS continues to lead the way in offering the industry a comprehensive range of digitally enabled treasury, trade and liquidity management solutions. About Citi Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.

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POS Retail

FRAME Deploys NewStore Omnichannel Platform to Power the Brand's Modern Retail Experience

NewStore | March 29, 2022

NewStore, a modular, mobile-first omnichannel cloud platform for retail brands worldwide, announced today that American fashion brand FRAME has launched the NewStore Omnichannel Platform across its retail business. By powering the brand's mobile point-of-sale (mPOS), order management, inventory, and store fulfillment solutions, NewStore is now the backbone of FRAME's retail operations. FRAME is known for its collections in denim, cotton, leather, and cashmere, and it strives to design a modern versatile wardrobe with the finest natural materials. The fashion brand sells its products through e-commerce, wholesale, and in 15 retail stores today. Most recently, FRAME opened its first international store in London, expanding its global footprint. As it continues to grow its retail presence, FRAME is reinvigorating its customer experience and prioritizing technology's role in creating a seamless shopping journey. "While we pride ourselves on providing an excellent customer experience, we're always looking for ways to enhance our shopping journey by blending our online and offline channels in a friction-free way," said Jens Grede, Co-founder, FRAME. "NewStore is enabling us to optimize our growing business with omnichannel capabilities that scale and create an even more personalized shopping experience." Through its partnership with NewStore, FRAME is enabling its employees with the tools and data required to provide the best shopping experience possible. Store associates can view sales, gauge product inventory across store locations, and complete mobile checkouts to improve customer convenience and maximize profitability. Now that all of FRAME's store locations are live on the platform, the brand will work with NewStore to further enhance the customer journey by rolling out features that allow employees to better guide shoppers and create more meaningful relationships. "Retail stores should be operating as an extension of e-commerce. Customers want seamless access to products, modern fulfillment options at little to no cost, and quick and contactless payments. These expectations are difficult to meet without a global omnichannel solution. With enterprise-wide access to inventory and the right technology in place, FRAME is offering the direct-to-consumer experience that is required to win in retail today. This is critical as they grow the business." Stephan Schambach, Founder and CEO, NewStore About FRAME FRAME is an American fashion brand renowned for its collections in denim, cotton, leather and cashmere. The company's founders Erik Torstensson and Jens Grede strive to design a modern versatile wardrobe through signature denim fits, cotton shirting and coveted leather pieces. Since the brand's inception in 2012 in Los Angeles, California, FRAME has evolved from making handcrafted denim to offering ready-to-wear and accessories collections in the finest natural materials. FRAME is committed to sustainable and fair manufacturing practices, balancing profit with a commitment to people and planet. Today, FRAME is sold through its own retail stores and e-commerce as well as through leading department stores and boutiques across the world. About NewStore NewStore provides Omnichannel-as-a-Service for retail brands worldwide that want to accelerate their digital transformation. Built for speed and flexibility, NewStore allows brands to easily deliver amazing shopping experiences that store associates and consumers love. Its mobile-first, modular cloud platform includes POS, order management, clienteling, inventory, and native consumer apps. NewStore customers such as Burton, Faherty Brand, G-Star RAW, Marine Layer, Scotch & Soda, UNTUCKit, and Vince benefit from the most complete, global omnichannel retail solution available. The company is backed by General Catalyst, Activant Capital, and Salesforce Ventures.

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POS Solutions

Mercaux Announces Release of Next Generation POS that Decomposes Experience, Basket, and Checkout Layers

Mercaux | March 17, 2022

Mercaux, The Next Generation In-Store Experience Platform, today announces an extension of its in-store suite to include Next Generation POS. The arrival introduces decomposed basket and checkout layers, resulting in a fluid, flexible and fast checkout process, irrespective of where the omnichannel journey started or finished, or method of payment the customer wishes to use. Where legacy monolithic POS has remained stagnant for many years, delivering little in the way of value to retailers, Mercaux's fully composable, cloud-based and API-first solution derives true business value, and provides a frictionless authentication, cross-channel basket transfer and checkout experience for customers. Next Generation POS from Mercaux consists of a decomposed basket and checkout layer, meaning that a customer can start a journey in one channel (in-store, online or remotely), pick it up in another, and complete the checkout wherever, and however they want. This is enabled via Mercaux's "Universal Basket" that follows the customer wherever they go and supports the rise in popularity of customers who ROPO, or those who would like to use modern payment methods including BNPL, anywhere. Furthermore, by deploying a composable vs monolithic platform, retailers now have the freedom to control how they transform their business, the flexibility to work with other Next Generation solutions of their choice, and the agility to deploy and add new functionality quickly. "Retail is behind other industries, such as banking or e-commerce, when it comes to composability. By extending our in-store experience platform though to basket and checkout, we are helping retail to take advantage of the agility and speed in which the industry can evolve to meet the heightened demands of the customer." Mercaux co-founder and ceo, Olga Kotsur Kotsur concluded, "This is an incredibly exciting development, finally allowing retailers to offer an entirely frictionless cross-channel experience and checkout process for their customers. With the pain of legacy removed, retailers can facilitate new omnichannel service models, understand true customer journeys and leverage online and payment innovations in-store - all leading to tangible top-line benefits." About Mercaux Mercaux's Composable Platform future-proofs stores. The 3-layers comprise of In-Store Experience, Universal Basket and Next Generation Checkout. The Experience layer redefines how customers interact with the physical store, through assisted selling and self-service solutions. Universal Baskets are created from these solutions that follow the customer wherever they continue their omnichannel experience. Next-Gen Checkout allows customers to complete the transaction anywhere, using any payment.

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e-commerce

Citi Integrates U.S. Institutional eCommerce Payments and Electronic Bill Presentment Platforms

Citi | October 31, 2022

Spring by Citi, Citi’s digital payments service enabling ecommerce and B2B funds flows launched in the U.S. in 2020, has now been fully integrated with Citi® Present and Pay, Citi’s electronic bill presentment platform. The combined solution offers comprehensive digital payment acceptance and electronic bill presentment in one integrated platform. With the new solution, Citi’s institutional clients will now have the ability to both collect payments across a full range of U.S. payment methods and provide world-class digital billing capabilities through a single contracting structure with Citi and a single technical integration, helping them save time and streamlining implementation. Previously, support for all relevant payment methods would have required a connection to an external third party – this comprehensive solution now makes it possible for payment acceptance all in one single contracting structure with Citi. “For many companies, the ability to offer their customers a fully digital billing experience can be very complex; requiring various third parties, and it is often expensive to migrate away from using manual, time-intensive paper-based processes,This new combined solution gives our clients an easier way to digitize their invoice presentment and payment processes, providing additional payment options to their customers.” Anupam Sinha, North America Payments and Receivables Head, Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions. The combined solution helps institutional clients simplify access to the following services through a single contracting structure and technical integration: More options for their customers to pay from a wide range of U.S. payment methods, including credit and debit cards, ACH direct debit and real-time Requests for Payment, and alternative payment methods such as digital wallets Ability for their customers to receive and pay their bills via a variety of methods, including web/mobile web, secure email, SMS text and voice (automated IVR and live customer service) Ability to validate payer bank account details in real-time to help ensure compliance with NACHA related to ACH direct debits without needing an additional technical integration with another third party As a trusted treasury bank to leading enterprises, we are always looking for ways to make it easier for our clients to use our solutions and we are constantly innovating to help reduce friction for them," continued Sinha. “The integration of Spring by Citi with Citi Present and Pay is one of several initiatives targeted at helping institutional billers address pain points associated with accepting digital payments. About Spring by Citi Spring by Citi is an end-to-end digital payments service enabling ecommerce and B2B funds flows, globally. Built on top of Citi TTS's industry-leading and proprietary payments network, Spring by Citi delivers seamless market-relevant payment experiences, combined with a robust set of globally consistent treasury solutions. This comprehensive solution helps businesses optimize their marketplace payments, business-to-business and direct-to-consumer transaction flows. In parallel, Citi's embedded FX, enhanced reconciliation and reporting capabilities help ensure that the critical needs of corporate treasury, payment operations, marketing and sales teams are met. For more information, visit www.spring.citi.com. About Citi® Present and Pay Citi Present and Pay enables clients to distribute digital billing information across multiple communication channels based on a consumer’s preference, including secure email, SMS text, Interactive Voice Recognition / phone, web and mobile web experiences, and digital voice assistants. The omni-channel electronic bill presentment and payment platform also collects corresponding payments via multiple forms of payments. Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) enables our clients' success by providing an integrated suite of innovative and tailored cash management and trade finance services to multinational corporations, financial institutions and public sector organizations across the globe. Based on the foundation of the industry's largest proprietary network with banking licenses in over 90 countries and globally integrated technology platforms, TTS continues to lead the way in offering the industry a comprehensive range of digitally enabled treasury, trade and liquidity management solutions. About Citi Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.

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POS Retail

FRAME Deploys NewStore Omnichannel Platform to Power the Brand's Modern Retail Experience

NewStore | March 29, 2022

NewStore, a modular, mobile-first omnichannel cloud platform for retail brands worldwide, announced today that American fashion brand FRAME has launched the NewStore Omnichannel Platform across its retail business. By powering the brand's mobile point-of-sale (mPOS), order management, inventory, and store fulfillment solutions, NewStore is now the backbone of FRAME's retail operations. FRAME is known for its collections in denim, cotton, leather, and cashmere, and it strives to design a modern versatile wardrobe with the finest natural materials. The fashion brand sells its products through e-commerce, wholesale, and in 15 retail stores today. Most recently, FRAME opened its first international store in London, expanding its global footprint. As it continues to grow its retail presence, FRAME is reinvigorating its customer experience and prioritizing technology's role in creating a seamless shopping journey. "While we pride ourselves on providing an excellent customer experience, we're always looking for ways to enhance our shopping journey by blending our online and offline channels in a friction-free way," said Jens Grede, Co-founder, FRAME. "NewStore is enabling us to optimize our growing business with omnichannel capabilities that scale and create an even more personalized shopping experience." Through its partnership with NewStore, FRAME is enabling its employees with the tools and data required to provide the best shopping experience possible. Store associates can view sales, gauge product inventory across store locations, and complete mobile checkouts to improve customer convenience and maximize profitability. Now that all of FRAME's store locations are live on the platform, the brand will work with NewStore to further enhance the customer journey by rolling out features that allow employees to better guide shoppers and create more meaningful relationships. "Retail stores should be operating as an extension of e-commerce. Customers want seamless access to products, modern fulfillment options at little to no cost, and quick and contactless payments. These expectations are difficult to meet without a global omnichannel solution. With enterprise-wide access to inventory and the right technology in place, FRAME is offering the direct-to-consumer experience that is required to win in retail today. This is critical as they grow the business." Stephan Schambach, Founder and CEO, NewStore About FRAME FRAME is an American fashion brand renowned for its collections in denim, cotton, leather and cashmere. The company's founders Erik Torstensson and Jens Grede strive to design a modern versatile wardrobe through signature denim fits, cotton shirting and coveted leather pieces. Since the brand's inception in 2012 in Los Angeles, California, FRAME has evolved from making handcrafted denim to offering ready-to-wear and accessories collections in the finest natural materials. FRAME is committed to sustainable and fair manufacturing practices, balancing profit with a commitment to people and planet. Today, FRAME is sold through its own retail stores and e-commerce as well as through leading department stores and boutiques across the world. About NewStore NewStore provides Omnichannel-as-a-Service for retail brands worldwide that want to accelerate their digital transformation. Built for speed and flexibility, NewStore allows brands to easily deliver amazing shopping experiences that store associates and consumers love. Its mobile-first, modular cloud platform includes POS, order management, clienteling, inventory, and native consumer apps. NewStore customers such as Burton, Faherty Brand, G-Star RAW, Marine Layer, Scotch & Soda, UNTUCKit, and Vince benefit from the most complete, global omnichannel retail solution available. The company is backed by General Catalyst, Activant Capital, and Salesforce Ventures.

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POS Solutions

Mercaux Announces Release of Next Generation POS that Decomposes Experience, Basket, and Checkout Layers

Mercaux | March 17, 2022

Mercaux, The Next Generation In-Store Experience Platform, today announces an extension of its in-store suite to include Next Generation POS. The arrival introduces decomposed basket and checkout layers, resulting in a fluid, flexible and fast checkout process, irrespective of where the omnichannel journey started or finished, or method of payment the customer wishes to use. Where legacy monolithic POS has remained stagnant for many years, delivering little in the way of value to retailers, Mercaux's fully composable, cloud-based and API-first solution derives true business value, and provides a frictionless authentication, cross-channel basket transfer and checkout experience for customers. Next Generation POS from Mercaux consists of a decomposed basket and checkout layer, meaning that a customer can start a journey in one channel (in-store, online or remotely), pick it up in another, and complete the checkout wherever, and however they want. This is enabled via Mercaux's "Universal Basket" that follows the customer wherever they go and supports the rise in popularity of customers who ROPO, or those who would like to use modern payment methods including BNPL, anywhere. Furthermore, by deploying a composable vs monolithic platform, retailers now have the freedom to control how they transform their business, the flexibility to work with other Next Generation solutions of their choice, and the agility to deploy and add new functionality quickly. "Retail is behind other industries, such as banking or e-commerce, when it comes to composability. By extending our in-store experience platform though to basket and checkout, we are helping retail to take advantage of the agility and speed in which the industry can evolve to meet the heightened demands of the customer." Mercaux co-founder and ceo, Olga Kotsur Kotsur concluded, "This is an incredibly exciting development, finally allowing retailers to offer an entirely frictionless cross-channel experience and checkout process for their customers. With the pain of legacy removed, retailers can facilitate new omnichannel service models, understand true customer journeys and leverage online and payment innovations in-store - all leading to tangible top-line benefits." About Mercaux Mercaux's Composable Platform future-proofs stores. The 3-layers comprise of In-Store Experience, Universal Basket and Next Generation Checkout. The Experience layer redefines how customers interact with the physical store, through assisted selling and self-service solutions. Universal Baskets are created from these solutions that follow the customer wherever they continue their omnichannel experience. Next-Gen Checkout allows customers to complete the transaction anywhere, using any payment.

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