A growing number of companies are moving data and business applications to the cloud with the potential of increased flexibility and decreased costs through diminished need for infrastructure, staff and software. The benefits are clear – moving from capital based expenditures (Capex) to a fully-loaded, usage based (Opex) model provides...
Cover Charge? I Have to Pay to Get into this Club?
The other day I heard someone refer to Amazon’s Prime Membership as a loyalty club. It took me by surprise. I always thought of Prime as more of a membership club – they charge a fee, so how can it be a loyalty program? At first I dismissed the term...
Don't be a Fool about Fraud
Today’s post is about how petroleum and convenience retailers can prevent fraud and reduce chargebacks. April Fool’s Day (April 1st) will mark six months since the EMV counterfeit fraud liability shift for in-store transactions, and so far, the joke is on the merchant community. Merchants have seen a dramatic increase...
Innovative Shopping Mall: A Selling & Buying Experience
The following article is reposted from CStore Decisions and features commentary by Ed Collupy, executive consultant, W. Capra Consulting Group. The Journey to REC There was a long line when I ordered my coffee at the airport, but it moved pretty well. I placed my order, paid cash and proceeded to the...
Chargebacks: More than a Minor Headache Since the EMV Liability Shift
Five months after the 10/1/15 EMV liability shift of counterfeit and lost/stolen fraud from issuing banks to merchants, there is a growing concern throughout the payments industry regarding the high number of chargebacks being issued to merchants. While many merchants budgeted for an incremental increase, many merchants are seeing actual...
Do I Stay Branded?
Do I Stay Branded? Since exiting Retail, Major Oil (or Big Oil) has faced a number of Brand Conversions within their existing footprint. NACSOnline states, “Large, integrated oil companies, especially since 2007, have exited the retail business to focus more on resource production and refining operations. ExxonMobil, Shell, BP and...
Introducing Book+: Priority = Do the Right Thing
In his latest post to CStoreDecisions, Ed Collupy reflects on and shares some reading he’s been doing recently as part of W. Capra’s Book Club, Book+: Over the years I’ve always had a book or two on my desk at work and near my comfy spot at home. Some I...
Apple Pay: Not Yet Simple
We spend increasingly more time with our faces buried in our smart phones. We rely on our devices to socialize, stay current, or save us a minute or two in our crazy, stressful lives. So when Apple Pay launched in October 2014, promising a secure, simple payment solution to replace...
Hybrid Cloud Computing
The following paper, published by the Cloud Standards Customer Council, contains contributions from Karl Scott, Executive Consultant, W. Capra Consulting Group: Practical Guide to Hybrid Cloud Computing The CSCC's webinar on March 3rd will outline the key considerations that customers must take into account as they adopt hybrid cloud computing. The...
What They Didn't Tell You about EMV
Whether you consider yourself a marketer, dealer, jobber or convenience retailer in the Retail Petroleum industry, by now you’ve been told you need to act on implementing EMV, empower new forms of payment (mobile chief among them), or drive growth through robust loyalty offerings. The complex relationships and technologies that...
Opinion: Let’s Get Personal: Earn Loyalty via Security
In this article, reposted from CSPnet.com, W. Capra Partner, Matt Beale describes the steps that all retailers should take to perform an effective security health check. Who isn’t afraid of getting their information stolen—particularly their credit-card numbers? No one wants to see a random Caribbean cruise or flat-screen TV appear on their...
W. Capra Proud to Support the AAIM
W. Capra is pleased to continue its support for the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM). The AAIM was found in 1982 to bring public attention to our roadways caused by impaired drivers and to prevent future tragedies. In order to continue its life-saving programs, the AAIM depends on donations from...
