Anna Lynn Dizon

Pop-up shops are temporary stores that use cutting-edge strategies to target customers. They offer many benefits, including the ability to test new markets or products, create deeper connections with customers, and introduce your brand to new audiences. Plus, as digital costs are rising, this experiential marketing strategy could be a cheaper way to get more…

The leading contactless payment system, Apple Pay, lets your customers pay via their Apple Watch or iPhone (iOS 6 and higher). It is secure for both merchants and customers and costs merchants the same processing fees as regular credit cards. Accepting Apple Pay starts with choosing a compatible payment processor, purchasing a near-field communication (NFC)…

To start a consignment shop, as with any business, you’ll need a prime storefront and a strategy for acquiring customers and merchandise. It involves choosing a niche, establishing a budget and business plan, finding merchandise and laying out your store, advertising, staffing up, and, finally, opening to the public. Here’s how to start a consignment…

Buying a franchise is a great alternative for entrepreneurs to minimize the risk of starting a new business and learn what makes a business successful. It lets you invest in a brand with an established customer base and proven business processes. The cost of a franchise for sale depends on many factors but you can…

Credit card readers for Android phones and tablets make it easy for merchants to process sales and accept credit cards anywhere. And while merchants have a wide range of Android credit card readers, the best ones should be affordable, easy to use, reliable, and match your business needs. You will also want a versatile smartphone…

2024 has been another year of advancements, with a mixture of highs and lows, in the payment industry. Fintechs (financial technology companies) continue to improve current and emerging payment methods in an effort to provide consumers with the most convenient ways to pay. Below, we look into the following payment trends: The future of cash…

After testing a number of payment processors, I find that small businesses need a retail payment processing system that is easy to use, works with popular point-of-sale (POS) software, and offers quality customer support. The best processors offer flexible solutions so retailers can accept payments made curbside, on the go, throughout the sales floor, and…

Demand forecasting is a type of predictive analytics that helps anticipate upcoming consumer demand so you can make better supply chain, management, inventory, and budgeting decisions. An accurate understanding of your upcoming demand is incredibly important in retail as it determines your inventory quantities, the types of products you should stock, and when you should…

In Mastercard’s Customer Loyalty and Customization Benchmark Report of 2023, only 7% of merchants reported to have successfully turned half of their first-time customers into repeat buyers. Compared to the previous year’s 13%, this is a tell-tale sign that consumer behavior is rapidly changing and that loyalty programs should be equally as dynamic, focusing on…

Black Friday is the shopping holiday that takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving. Black Friday typically represents the official start of the holiday shopping season and is marked by sales and discounts. In this guide, we will look at 30 of the top Black Friday marketing strategies that you can utilize in 2025 to help…

If you are considering Clover vs Square, it is hard to go wrong. Both offer excellent cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) systems for small businesses, with in-house hardware solutions, key POS features, and add-ons to support your growth. The biggest difference between the two POS systems is that Clover can operate with thousands of merchant services, giving…

What is a virtual terminal? A virtual terminal is a secure, browser-based payment tool that lets businesses manually enter customer payment details, such as credit or debit card numbers, for processing. Unlike a physical card reader, it runs entirely online and requires no special equipment. This makes it especially useful for phone orders, email invoices,…