Many retailers are breathing a sigh of relief in regard to PCI, after this summer’s deadline for software compliance was relaxed after a request by the major oil companies, giving scrambling retailers a little more time to comply. But retailers be warned: chains that face a breach could still get hit with huge fines. “Some…

Imagine a day when your customers pay for coffee by scanning a cell phone, and play their favorite music at the gas pump with a quick swipe of a loyalty card. Well, ready or not, such technology is already out there and it’s coming for c-stores—the only question is how soon. As the Millennial generation…

As the U.S. economic recession continues, it’s no secret that customers are altering their shopping habits to save a few dollars wherever they can. The silver lining for convenience store retailers could be the resulting affinity credit-crunched customers have developed for the prepaid segment. In a credit weary and increasingly online world, prepaid is helping…

Now that the Durbin Amendment, part of the Wall Street reform bill, has been signed into law by President Obama, the industry continues to address issues related to interchange reform. Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (TPCA) President Chris Newton noted the amendment was “an important first step” in dealing with the negative impacts…

Congress has passed the ECO-Gift CARD Act (H.R. 5502), which will avoid the destruction of more than 100 million plastic cards and ensure consumer access to these popular gifts during the busy holiday shopping season, The Network Branded Prepaid Card Association (NBPCA) reported.   The act extends the Aug. 22, 2010 gift card implementation deadline,…

As the House and Senate prepare to vote on the financial reform bill—containing the Durbin amendment on interchange fees—this week, NACS’ message to retailers is that the battle is far from won. Three hurdles remain: passing the House, passing the Senate and getting signed into law by President Obama. “Until all three happen, actually, until…

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc., which operates 200 stores in 30 states, now is accepting of TCH payment products at its locations effective June 16, 2010. “Love’s is pleased to make available our travel stop locations to TCH cardholders. Our growing network of facilities will offer these fleets and professional drivers another competitive…

A baker puts two muffins in an oven. The first muffin turns to the other and says, “Boy it’s hot in here.” The second muffin screams, “Yikes, a talking muffin.” Hopefully convenience store chains are not nearly this surprised when it comes to this month’s PCI deadlines. However, at the NACStech conference in April, several…

When he thinks of PCI compliance, Ed Freels, director of information systems for Honey Farms Inc. recalls an old t-shirt slogan from the 1970s, “It showed the AC130 gun ship from the Vietnam era and it said, ‘You can run, but you’ll just die tired,’ and PCI compliance is no different. The most dangerous merchant…

Visa Inc. and Marathon Oil Corporation are rolling out Visa ReadyLink—Visa’s prepaid reload network—in 4,000 Marathon Brand retail stations. To date the service has rolled out to approximately 2,000 locations, with the remainder expected to be active by the end of 2010. Marathon markets through approximately 4,600 branded locations in 18 states in the Midwest…