New Survey Indicates Small Merchants May Be Putting Up Roadblocks to Mobile Consumers

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A newly released research report from TransFirst, leading provider of transaction processing services and payment enabling technologies, and ControlScan, a payment security and compliance solution provider, shares important insights into small merchants' progress and challenges in implementing various mobile payment technologies.

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The mobile payment acceptance survey, Small Merchants and Mobile Payments: 2013 Survey on Technology Awareness and Adoption, examines the business impacts of widespread mobile device use and the accompanying sudden increase of mobile-friendly applications. According to the survey, 82 percent of ecommerce merchants don't know whether a purchase on their website comes from a mobile device or a PC — yet data from those who do indicates that mobile site visitors are representing a significantly increasing portion of online sales.

Another key finding of the survey shows 49 percent of ecommerce merchants know their websites are not currently optimized for mobile devices and an additional 17 percent say they don't know or are unsure about their site's current status — revealing that as many as two-thirds of these merchants may be putting up roadblocks to the growing number of mobile consumers.

Ten percent of respondents to last year's benchmark Mobile Payment Acceptance Survey said they were using a smartphone or tablet to accept credit card payments. That number has almost doubled to 17 percent in less than one year's time.

"The mobile consumer is knocking at the small merchant's door," said Craig Tieken, Director of Product at TransFirst. "Business owners who aren't already up to speed with mobile payment acceptance need to have a viable plan of action to get there."

"The mobile payment survey findings show that small merchants have a real business need to effectively adapt to mobile technology trends," agreed Dave Abouchar, Sr. Director of Product Management for ControlScan. "Now is the time for ISOs and acquirers to embrace these trends with innovative offerings that guide their merchants toward business growth and increased revenue."

The survey was sent to small to mid-sized businesses representing service areas such as retail and consumer goods, healthcare and human services, personal and professional services, and restaurant and hospitality. Responses from more than 1650 merchants were collected from March 18 to April 18 of this year. Three-quarters of survey respondents' businesses have 10 or fewer employees.

The full report is available now for download. In addition, Tieken and Abouchar will present an expert review of the survey's findings in a June 27 Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) webinar entitled "Small Merchants and Mobile Payments: Measuring Current Technology Awareness and Adoption."

About TransFirst (www.transfirst.com)
A leading provider of secure credit card and payment processing services and payment enabling technologies, TransFirst, offers innovative products and services designed with financial institution, independent sales organization, healthcare, e-commerce, government and merchant customers' unique needs in mind. By collaborating with our customers and utilizing strong industry knowledge, we can help them grow their businesses. Founded in 1995, TransFirst continues to attain significant market share and world-class expertise in growing and profitable industry segments. Built on a platform of personal service, customer commitment and flexible pricing, TransFirst is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York, and has operations facilities in Aurora, Colorado; Broomfield, Colorado; Omaha, Nebraska; Overland Park, Kansas; Franklin, Tennessee; and Cypress, California; and executive headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Company-wide, TransFirst currently processes approximately $37 billion in annual sales volume for approximately 190,000 merchants and financial institution partners. For additional information, please call 800.745.2659 or visit www.TransFirst.com.

About ControlScan (www.controlscan.com)
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, ControlScan delivers payment security and compliance solutions to a global network of payment service providers and the merchants they serve. The company's innovative approach to secure hosted payment and PCI compliance solutions leverages technology, education and services to provide flexible options for its customers. Known for its thought leadership, ControlScan gives its customers a clear view of marketplace issues and trends so they can remain competitive. For more information, please visit www.controlscan.com or call 1-800-825-3301.

SOURCE TransFirst