With the growth of virtual payments making a huge impact on how consumers shop and pay, payments specialist Blackhawk Network and retail software company LOC Software announced a partnership to offer touch-free mobile payment technologies to retailers.
With these contactless payment options, Blackhawk Network and LOC Software give retail clients more ways to pay, and also “more reasons to shop in stores and more ways to engage with retail brands,” according to a release.
Helena Mao, VP, Global Product Strategy at Blackhawk Network, stated:
“With the proliferation of digital payment systems, it’s no longer simply about consumers finding easy payment options; it’s a focus on ensuring retailers are providing consumers with a convenient and seamless experience. Blackhawk has developed a robust API solution that enable easy integration with digital wallets and payments solutions. Working with LOC Software will give our partners rapid, integration to better deliver the technology of multiple wallets as part of our digital payments promise for customers.”
Research from Blackhawk Network reveals that of the digital wallet growth observed in 2020, 59% of surveyed consumers have been “using their digital wallet more frequently than before the pandemic began.”
And, of the digital payment tools available, 48% of consumers are “using QR codes and barcodes on a mobile device more frequently over the last year, which is helping to bring a more seamless and connected payment experience to in-person shopping.”
Francois Labelle, Product Director at LOC Software, remarked:
“Our partnership with Blackhawk Network will enable us to bring this technology to retail customers for their everyday purchases and provide retailers with new ways to engage their customers.”
Blackhawk Network works with around 37,000 corporate and government partners, and has about 400,000 channel touchpoints across the globe. Blackhawk connects with over 300 million shoppers worldwide.
As mentioned in the update, the Blackhawk Network provides branded payment solutions via the prepaid products, technologies and network that “connect brands and people.”
The firm works with their partners “to innovate, translating market trends in branded payments to increase reach, loyalty and revenue.” They claim to “reliably execute security-minded solutions worldwide.”