Tag: electronic gift cards

The latest update of the wallet app is designed to make it easier for givers and receivers.

Square Wallet has just announced that its mobile payments app has a new update that will make it simpler for its users to be able to purchase and to exchange gift cards for participating retailers.

This latest update is available for the application designed for both Android and iOS devices.

The announcement stated that Square gift cards can be sent directly from the purchaser’s smartphone or tablet, directly to the recipient. It is reported to function immediately through the electronic receipt that is sent to the purchaser (the giver) from merchants who accept mobile payments through the Square Wallet program.

This is an important step for Square in its gift card mobile payments offerings as it could expand its own use.

The mobile payments app first started its compatibility with gift cards in December of last year, just in time for the heart of the last minute holiday shopping rush. This provided merchants with the ability to offer electronic gift cards to consumers, who could then redeem them using their smartphone and tablet devices.

Participating retailers enjoyed this capability as it gave them the opportunity to offer these gift cards without having to rely on a third party provider for the plastic cards and redemption systems.

This latest update to the mobile payments app allows consumers to both buy the gift cards and send them directly to the recipients through the receipt that they receive electronically from the merchant. The Wallet company feels that this is an important step for providing convenience to the users of the service.

However, there is also a great deal of benefit to be had for Square, itself, if the program should take off. To the company, the true benefit isn’t necessarily convenience as much as the fact that if a recipient would like to be able to receive the gift card, then he or she will be required to download the mobile payments app and then use it when making a purchase. Potentially, this could expand the downloading and the use of the smartphone wallet service as consumers purchase and send gift cards to one another.

CVS introduces mobile commerce updates to mobile site and application

CVS Caremark Corp. is looking to bolster its mobile commerce presence by making updates to its website and mobile application. Mobile commerce continues to attract the interest of the retail industry, especially in the wake of a record breaking Thanksgiving shopping weekend. This year, retailers have seen massive growth in the realm of mobile sales thanks to the interest consumers have been showing in mobile commerce. CVS hopes to take advantage of this by reaching out to mobile consumers in a more dynamic fashion.

Mobile site features new services for consumers

CVS has made updates to its mobile website, which now features a variety of options that are designed to help consumers keep track of their health. The company has introduced an immunization scheduler, which helps users keep track of when they can receive immunization treatments from health care professionals that visit CVS stores. Users can set up appointments for specific immunizations through the mobile site. CVS has also introduced a number of shopping enhancements that are meant to help mobile consumers find the products they are interested in.

Electronic gift cards may be big during the holiday season

Another feature that has been introduced to the mobile website are electronic gift cards. These digital cards can be purchased from the mobile website and used from a smart phone or other device to pay for goods online. These cards can be given as gifts to others, delivered via email. CVS anticipates the sale of these gift cards to skyrocket during the holiday season, especially among consumers that rely on CVS for the health care products they need, such as glucose meters for those with diabetes.

CVS may have plans to adopt in-store mobile payments in the future

CVS has also introduced several new features into its mobile application, such as a pill identifier that will help users identify the pills they are taking. The mobile application also includes several shopping features that encourage consumers to purchase products through their mobile device and online. CVS has yet to adopt in-store mobile payments, but if mobile commerce continues to grow in popularity, this service may be on its way.