Payment processing
Maybe one of the biggest challenges: how to handle all different kinds of payment methods and bank cards
Running a store naturally involves the expectation that customers will pay for the items they take. An appealing aspect of cashier-less stores is the reduced risk of shoplifting. However, a new issue arises: how will customers make payments? This question was recently posed to us by a client seeking guidance on addressing the problem of declined cards which results in substantial financial losses, dissatisfied shoppers, and an underutilized store.
Most automated stores permit entry through methods such as debit cards, credit cards, or specialized applications, with some even offering the option of cash payments. Nevertheless, setting up a payment system encompasses more than just creating an account and connecting it to the store's entry point.
Retailers take various factors into account when choosing a payment provider, including location, authorization procedures, associated costs, flexibility, security measures, existing contractual obligations, and customer privacy considerations. We advise clients to first evaluate the payment methods currently utilized by their customers, determine whether pre-authorization is necessary, collaborate with the payment provider and store technology vendor to establish a seamless payment process, and rigorously test the system. Testing should encompass the entire payment process, using a wide range of bank cards to ensure its functionality.
Overcoming this challenge may be arduous, but it is certainly achievable, and at times, unconventional approaches can prove useful.
