Staples Ensuring Ease And Security With Apple Pay

By Megan Zielinski, contributing writer

After recently rolling-out a series of omni-channel updates to improve the shopping experience, Staples is continuing to strengthen their brand, by implementing a brand-new, digital method of making in-store payments through Apple Pay

Innovative contactless payment technology integrated in-stores will allow for customers to use their iPhone 6 or Apple Watch to pay for their items right on the spot. Large purchases can easily be made within seconds, just by aiming their device toward the reader, and pressing their finger on the touch ID tab. A beep notifies users that the payment has been accepted.

With Apple Pay, customers no longer need to dig for credit/debit cards or cash, as their device securely holds card information for quick, safe transactions made right at the convenience of their fingertips. Users simply enter their cards to Passbook, a protected storage app responsible for holding important content that becomes encrypted onto a chip in their device. Purchases are processed by using just the 3-4 digit card account number in conjunction with a unique transaction security code, directly from their device—eliminating the risk of data being transferred to cashiers or to the hands of other businesses. Apple Pay confirms that information stays where it should, with the customer.

Apple Pay may mark the beginning of a complete transformation in the retail industry, creating more satisfied customers with quick in-store visits, saving company dollars by removing cashier positions, allowing for proper inventory management. And most importantly of all, maintaining and increasing in-store traffic by guaranteeing that customer accounts are safeguarded with each purchase. Customers are becoming more concerned with protecting their identity as breach incidents increasingly monopolize among their favorite shopping locations. Nearly 7,500,000 breaches took place over the past year for businesses, making up a total of 39.6 percent of recorded breaches—placing retail as the top category to be targeted over banks, military, government, healthcare, and education services. With today’s data moving freely between businesses, devices, and the cloud—retailers are focusing on saving their businesses and customers. Security provided by Apple Pay may be a breakthrough to cutting-down on breach incidents, by containing and protecting customer’s valuable identity.

The new payment platform is set to be incorporated into the Staples experience by October—Apple Pay can be installed for free through an iOS 8 update, working with iPhone 6, 6 Plus, and by early 2015, the Apple Watch. The program works with leading credit and debit cards from major U.S. banks, allowing customers to continue to reap all of the benefits and rewards offered while using Apple Pay. “Our customers will love the convenience of Apple Pay, which will offer an easier, faster and secure way to check-out at Staples,” said Faisal Masud, executive vice president, global e-commerce, Staples Inc. “Staples planned launch of Apple Pay is the most recent example of our commitment to innovation that helps our customers make more happen with their business.”