News and insight into biometric identification and authentication

Convenience stores may look to biometrics for extra security

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Due to the failing economy, fears over petty theft in retail outlets such as convenience stores have been on the rise, according to an article from Convenience Store Decisions. Among the recommended solutions being offered is the implementation of biometric systems to assist with anything from theft deterrents to ID checking.


An initial use of biometric systems for stores, such as 7-eleven, would be to incorporate biometrics into its ID checking for sales on tobacco and alcohol.

One area that Joe LaRocca, vice president of loss prevention for the National Retail Federation, has pointed to with regards to incorporating biometrics is the in-store safes. While he acknowledges that most convenience stores are independently owned or franchised, biometric technology has dropped significantly in price over the past years and the added security could be very worthwhile. Additional uses that are being looked at is its use in payroll for time and attendance tracking of employees.

Read the full story here [end] 

Discount code website www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk just conducted a flash poll that found 72% of Brits in favor of contactless technology in all supermarket stores.

The poll, which drew 1,052 participants, was conducted in reaction to (The Co-operative Food’s recent decision to launch a contactless payment pilot in 100 of its stores)[http://www.contactlessnews.com/2010/07/14/uk-grocery-chain-rolls-out-contactless-payment-trial], as well as the site’s recent online affiliation with several of the UK’s largest supermarket chains.

read more »

Canadian Retail Solutions (CRS) and YESpay International have partnered to deliver EMV chip and PIN managed card payment service to Canadian customers. YESpay’s EMBOSS is an EMV chip and PIN accredited and PCI-DSS Level 1 certified managed payment service.

read more »

The Canadian contactless payments market is set to take off as large stores rapidly adopt the new technology, and smaller merchants threaten to make the jump as well, according to itbusiness.ca.

read more »

The Co-operative Food is partnering with Barclaycard to become the UK’s first major grocery retailer to introduce contactless payment in its stores nationwide. The roll-out will begin next year with a pilot in 100 Co-op stores, allowing customers to speed through checkout lines with tap & go purchases of £15 or less.

read more »

Dutch-based convenience store chain Spar has announced plans to roll out a new contactless payment system, according to retailmoves.com.

The system, called SPARPoS, will enable customers to make purchases of up to £15 with contactless debit or credit cards.

read more »

Skeletal scanning technology developed at Wright State University could hold potential as a new biometric mode particularly effective in weeding out people of interest from crowds, according to an Ubergizmo article.

read more »