Camping World (CWI, Inc.)

Atlanta -- Consumer spending reached a three-year low during the month of December, according to a report released Thursday by First Data Corp.

First Data’s SpendTrend tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.

ATLANTA — Dollar General is teaming up with InComm, a prepaid product and transaction services provider, to make life easier for online gamers.

Dollar General will offer Microsoft Xbox LIVE via PIN-on-receipt delivery across its network of more than 10,000 stores, making it easier for consumers to purchase Xbox LIVE points and Xbox LIVE Gold Memberships directly at the register, through InComm's recently launched Digital Delivery Application.

Atlanta -- Dollar volume growth remained solid at 5.8% in November, down from 6.7% in October, according to the First Data SpendTrend analysis for the full month of November 2012 compared with November 2011. SpendTrend tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.

Atlanta -- Year-over-year retail dollar volume growth on Thanksgiving and Black Friday was healthy at 5.6% as many retailers started the holiday shopping season earlier this year and consumers welcomed the opportunity to find bargains, according to a study by First Data Corp.’s First Data SpendTrend analysis for Black Friday 2012 compared with Black Friday 2011. (SpendTrend tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.)

ROSWELL, Ga. — Dick’s Sporting Goods is looking at increased competition in its core Northeastern markets as PGA Tour Superstore prepares for the grand opening of its first retail location in Paramus, N.J.

The 57,000-sq.-ft. store will open its doors Wed., Nov. 21, and offer a wide selection of golf merchandise and apparel, including more than 15,000 golf clubs and 10,000 pairs of shoes for every level of golf and tennis enthusiast.

Atlanta -- Hurricane Sandy impacted spending in the Northeast, according to First Data’s most recent SpendTrend report, which analyzed date for the full month of October 2012 compared with October 2011. SpendTrend tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.

PURCHASE, N.Y. and AMSTERDAM — MasterCard and ING Group are testing a new online payment program in the Netherlands. 

The companies ar testing the ability for customers to use MasterCard's PayPass application on their mobile phone to make a purchase either in store or online.

With approximately 95% of retail purchases still occurring in physical stores (according to the National Retail Federation), it has never been more important to find new ways to engage, and connect with, in-store shoppers. For The Finish Line, mobile point-of-sale was a critical component in its drive to enhance the customer’s shopping experience.

New York -- Barnes & Noble said it has detected tampering with PIN pad devices that are used in 63 of its stores. Upon detecting evidence of tampering, which was limited to one compromised PIN pad in each of the affected stores, chain discontinued use of all PIN pads in its nearly 700 stores nationwide by the close of business on Sept.14.
 
In addition, the company notified federal law enforcement authorities, and has been supporting a federal government investigation into the matter.
 

Atlanta -- The SpendTrend analysis for September, released Tuesday by First Data Corp., found that card spending in September was down from the month prior.

The report, which tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations, showed that overall dollar volume growth was 5.8%, down from August’s 7.2% growth.