Global consultancy firm PwC has joined forces with US blockchain technology outfit Bloq to create a platform allowing digital currencies to be used for everyday banking... More
Analytics
Half of global banking customers use fintech services, but trust remains low
Half of banking customers around the world are using the products or services of at least one fintech firm, according to the first World FinTech Report (WFTR) from Capgemini and LinkedIn, but customer trust in fintech providers is low... More
EMVCo updates tokenization specification with new payment account reference data element
EMVCo has updated its tokenization specification to include a new payment account reference (PAR) that can be used to link a cardholder’s payment token with their primary account number (PAN) without needing to use their underlying account number... More
Carrefour installs Bluetooth beacons in 28 hypermarkets across Romania
Supermarket giant Carrefour has installed 600 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons in its 28 hypermarkets in Romania to guide shoppers around the stores and to deliver personalised promotions and offers either directly to their smartphones or to Samsung tablets affixed to the handles of their shopping carts. More
Jamba Juice and Fishbowl integrate promotions to Android Pay
Jamba Juice and restaurant data analytics provider Fishbowl have worked together to integrate Fishbowl’s Promotion Manager software into Android Pay, allowing guests to “save and use promotions while merchants will be able to process redemptions in real time,” the companies say... More
Jawbone adds NFC payments to fitness trackers with AmEx
Wearable device maker Jawbone has unveiled a fitness tracking wristband that can be linked to the wearer’s American Express card account and used to make NFC payments... More
Visa sets out tokenization expansion plans
Visa is to expand its Visa Token Service to more regions, to a range of mobile devices and to online transactions made using its Visa Checkout service in 2015, the payments network has announced, “helping to prevent exposure of sensitive consumer account information in online and mobile payments.”... More
LoyaltyGrid uses NFC tags to let luxury brands reward their customers at the point of sale
Dutch startup LoyaltyGrid has unveiled a solution that lets luxury brands use NFC tags embedded in product packaging to guarantee the authenticity of their products — and deliver rewards, discounts, exclusive content, invitations to special events and other incentives directly to their customers... More
Ralph Lauren promotes new line with NFC and QR codes in Harrods windows
Ralph Lauren has taken over a 15-window display at luxury retail store Harrods in London to promote the launch of its new Polo Ralph Lauren collection using NFC and QR code stickers provided by proximity commerce specialist Proxama... More
UK retailers install hi-tech mannequins that let customers buy what they see in the window
UK retailers House of Fraser, Hawes & Curtis and Bentalls are using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons installed in display mannequins to let customers get information about outfits displayed in their shop windows and around their stores, receive special offers and buy items with their mobile phone... More
Brits turn to mobile for purchase decision making
Nearly half of all UK consumers with a tablet or smartphone (46%) now use mobile devices as their primary tool for telecoms purchase decision making, 39% for insurance and 33% for retail, according to new research from location ad platform xAd and call measurement technology provider Telmetrics... More
French shopping centre uses BLE beacons to help retailers attract customers
Les Terrasses du Port, a new 480-hectare shopping centre in the French city of Marseille, has installed Europe’s largest network of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, enabling retailers such as Zara and H&M to deliver promotional offers and information straight to shoppers’ smartphones... More
Charity raises funds via NFC wristbands
Special care baby charity Bliss is using NFC wristbands to make it easier for supporters to generate donations from people they meet... More
Russian supermarket tests NFC for personalised shopping and loyalty
Russian premium supermarket chain Land is piloting personalised NFC shopping using technology developed by Synqera, which combines ‘Loyalty Generator’ coupon dispensers at the front of the store and NFC-enabled Simplate payment devices at the checkout. More
Historic cinema uses NFC tags
The Eden Theatre in La Ciotat, one of the oldest cinemas in France, has installed NFC tags to enable visitors to watch movie trailers and access a mobile website containing news, previews, special events and schedules... More
Google Play Music gets NFC promotion on Australian public transport
Google has partnered with NFC specialist Tapit to promote its Google Play Music service using NFC and QR code enabled posters on public transport along the east coast of Australia. More
CBS Outdoor picks Proxama for NFC
Global out-of-home advertising provider CBS Outdoor has selected Proxama’s TapPoint platform to add NFC capabilities to its outdoor media estate... More
CommBank to launch NFC payments using embedded secure elements
Commonwealth Bank of Australia has announced a series of upgrades to its mobile banking and payments service, including plans to offer NFC payments using secure elements embedded in “certain phones” and NFC stickers that can be used to make payments by customers with a standard mobile phone... More
SAP to put NFC in vending machines
Software giant SAP is developing a smart vending machine solution that will provide consumers with the ability to make payments via NFC and link purchases made with social profiles, enabling owners to gain insight into consumer preferences and manage their machines more efficiently... More
Nokia Music and Wooshping offer NFC playlists at NY music venue
Nokia Music and UK-based NFC specialist Wooshping have teamed up to offer exclusive music playlists via NFC posters and stickers to gig goers at New York’s Webster Hall. More
