The Payment Source Blog

Esports is seeing rapid growth in Canada. Online gaming alone is a $40+ million dollar industry with online gamers spending roughly $200 a year on new online games and over $120 a year on in-game items (see source), such as cosmetics, battle passes and tokens. While online transacting is convenient, many consumers aren’t comfortable entering their financial data. In fact, 59% have reported to feel more comfortable using a payment method where they don’t need to share their financial details with the merchant (see source). This is just one of the many benefits of using online payment products to make these types of purchases.

For C-Store owners the new year marks the perfect time to review and align your goals for the year ahead. Many will take stock in what they have learned from the previous year, reviewing where they excelled and where they can improve. But one thing is for sure the beginning of the year, with a fresh start, is the perfect time to execute on that new year’s resolution to increase your store’s revenue.

Holidays are the time of year everyone wants to feel connected with family and friends. People make an extra effort to reach out to those friends and family members whom they may have lost touch with throughout the year. During this season many Canadians will be using their mobile devices to make calls, send texts, and facetime those loved ones they cannot spend the holidays with.

Let’s face it, holiday shopping can be stressful for consumers! The hardest part is trying to figure out what to buy for everyone on their list. We all have that friend or family member that is difficult to shop for. Make the process less stressful for your customers by offering gift cards at your store!

In 2020, the rapid spread of COVID-19 brought many countries around the world into lockdown, resulting in many industries reducing their staffing levels and production, ultimately causing panic and decreased consumer spending (see source). A year later, lockdowns were lifted, and consumer demand skyrocketed and strong consumer spending continued through 2020 and into 2021. This inflated demand in turn put increased pressure on the supply chain industry impacting everything from material and labour shortages to lack of transportation (see source). With COVID-19 still having its effects, it seems like once again the holiday shopping season will be different this year.