Square scores retail deal with AT&T, swipes smile off competitors’ faces

Posted on 30/08/2012 by James Trew

Been paying for your frappuccino via Square, and fancied getting some of that diminutive payment-taking action for your own business? Well, previously, if you didn't live near an Apple store, Radioshack, Walgreens, Fed Ex office, Best Buy, Target, UPS or Wal-Mart then you were fresh outta retail-luck. Or living in a cave. Now, however AT&T has started stocking the card readers at all its bricks and mortar outlets too, further plumping-up that number of locations that stock it. Frankly, we're not surprised to see this reaching more shops, if the sales guys spend all their time drinking that brand-endorsed coffee.

Filed under: Internet, Software

Square scores retail deal with AT&T, swipes smile off competitors' faces originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square CEO hints at Windows Phone app, says Starbucks funding will go toward ‘international efforts’

Posted on 08/08/2012 by Sarah Silbert

As you probably have heard -- it's created quite some buzz, after all -- Starbucks just announced a partnership with Square to accept mobile payments via the Pay with the Square app. That's huge news for Square, which currently processes transactions for some 75,000 merchants, as the coffee retailer is one of the largest national chains to integrate with the payment service.

At a breakfast in New York today, Square CEO and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz fielded questions about the partnership's importance. While most of the talk centered on the rollout that will bring Square payments to 7,000 Starbucks stores ahead of the holiday season, the discussion also touched upon other areas of expansion for the mobile payments company.

Currently, the Pay with Square app is only available on iOS and Android. Asked whether a Windows Phone app is in the making, Dorsey said, "We will definitely build for where the users are, and we're excited about the Windows Phone interface." Take that as you will.

Starbucks will start accepting Square payments ahead of the holiday season, and Dorsey said the coffee retailer's $25 million investment will be used for hiring and to expand "international efforts." Starbucks, which has 18,000 stores in 60 countries, would certainly be a natural partner in any overseas plans.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

Square CEO hints at Windows Phone app, says Starbucks funding will go toward 'international efforts' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starbucks switches to Square for payments, invests $25 million and will support Pay with Square

Posted on 08/08/2012 by Richard Lawler

While Square's mobile payment processing platform has already picked up some major players in retail to go along with more than a million small businesses, its biggest shot in the arm to date is a new partnership with Starbucks. The chain will use Square to process credit card payments in nearly 7,000 US locations along with investing $25 million in the company, while Starbucks president, chairman and CEO Howard Shulz is joining its Board of Directors. Also notable for Square is that this fall Starbucks will be pushing features like its Pay with Square app that lets customers pay via iOS and Android apps, as well as the Square Directory of local businesses. In a letter, Square CEO Jack Dorsey pushed the platform as a way enhance local businesses and communities, but we'll see how friendly your local coffeeshop employees are when a familiar green logo shares their payment processor.

Continue reading Starbucks switches to Square for payments, invests $25 million and will support Pay with Square

Filed under: Internet, Software

Starbucks switches to Square for payments, invests $25 million and will support Pay with Square originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source:Square letter from Jack Dorsey

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Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video)

Posted on 19/06/2012 by James Trew

The great philosopher, Huey Lewis, once mused that it was "hip to be square." And it looks like he might have been right. The nifty geometrically-named payment widget is fast gaining popularity, no doubt thanks to its simplicity and accessibility. The system's had basic loyalty functions for a while, but now, users of its Pay with Square app can rack up loyalty points for repeat visits, or certain spend amounts. That means no more scratching around trying to find that bent up punch card, just pay up and -- literally -- reap the rewards. New customers can also now be lured in with the ability for retailers to add first visit specials. Merchants also get an upgrade, including real-time in-app analytics and the ability to give on the spot discounts. Great news, of course, though we wonder if it'll extend to a free ride home?

Continue reading Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video)

Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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