BluePay Blog

Still months away, this is the time of year that many retailers are already deep into their holiday marketing plans. This includes having a content calendar ready to go, as well as a detailed strategy for how each channel will be addressed. And, while that structure provides a great framework for covering all marketing bases, it may not provide a way to truly stand out if you are implementing the same tactics and approach as the competition. 

Topics: Due.com Partner Posts, Fun Posts, Small Business Tips

The attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 had a huge impact on the American economy. The most obvious changes affected the roughly 18,000 small businesses that were displaced or destroyed in Lower Manhattan.  Nearly 20 years later, the effects of 9/11 persist, and they’ve forever changed how companies operate in the new millennium.  Below are five of the biggest changes businesses have made in the post-9/11 economy.

Topics: PCI Compliance and Fraud Prevention, Fun Posts

Labor Day is officially celebrated on the first Monday of September. For most Americans, this annual event is just another bank holiday. There’s not a whole lot of fanfare involved.  For students, Labor Day means that school is around the corner — or a day off. For most everyone else, it simply marks the “unofficial” end of the summer — complete with barbecues, picnics and pool parties. 

Topics: Fun Posts, Small Business Tips

Women’s Equality Day (August 26) is a yearly event commemorating the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in the United States.  The amendment was first introduced in 1878, but it took nearly 30 years to become ratified. The country waited another 50 years before Congress officially designated August 26 as Women’s Equality Day. 

Topics: Fun Posts

Did you know the credit card is almost 100 years old, with the first being issued in the 1920s? These early examples were location-specific charge cards that could be used only at the gas stations or hotels that issued them.  Want another fun fact? Here’s one. Credit cards were originally made of cardboard. 

Topics: Fun Posts, Payment Trends

Apps for your smartphone and tablet have certainly made it easy to work from anywhere at any time. Every year, more app developers realize the opportunity they have to help small business owners work smarter and achieve their business goals. This year is no different, with a wide range of new apps for small business owners available to download and use right now. Here are 15 to start you off:

Topics: Due.com Partner Posts, Fun Posts, Small Business Tips

Father’s Day may not receive the same recognition and fanfare as Mother’s Day, but with domestic sales approaching $15.5 billion, this annual event isn’t a shopping holiday you can afford to ignore.  In fact, roughly 75 percent of Americans purchase some sort of gift for Father’s Day. When you run the numbers, this means the average son or daughter spends more than $130 on their dads.  So, ask yourself … is your retail store positioned to take advantage of these Father’s Day shopping trends? Let’s take a look.

Topics: Fun Posts, Small Business Tips, Payment Trends

As one of the most consumer-friendly countries in the world, the United States has a plethora of shopping “holidays” throughout the year. Some of the most popular include Black Friday, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween, Easter and Independence Day.  With so many shopping “holidays” on the books, we don’t really need another — but we have one anyway. Every June 18, the U.S. “unofficially” celebrates National Splurge Day — when consumers can indulge their wildest desires, regardless of price or budget. 

Topics: E-Commerce and Online Payments, Fun Posts, Small Business Tips

Losing your credit card usually isn’t a big deal. If one of your cards is lost, stolen or somehow compromised, your bank will send you a replacement ASAP.  Many card issuers also provide fraud protection so you’re not personally liable for any unauthorized purchases.  In fact, the algorithms used to monitor fraud are so good that your bank might contact you to verify purchases that “seem” out of character. If you use your card primarily for grocery shopping and gas stations, for example, a sudden weekend shopping spree at the neighborhood electronics store might raise red flags. 

Topics: EMV, PCI Compliance and Fraud Prevention, Fun Posts

With yearly sales exceeding $23 billion, Mother’s Day is one of the most lucrative “spending” holidays on the calendar. Some lucky businesses are ideally positioned to take advantage of this annual event.  If you sell flowers, jewelry or spa treatments, for example, you’ll likely generate a lot of sales in the days leading up to Mother’s Day.   What if you don’t sell these types of items? How do you get the sons and daughters of America excited if your core business centers around the following products/services? 

Topics: Fun Posts, Small Business Tips