Press Release

International Retail User Group (IRUG) Announces EMV/Mobile Payments focus group Agenda Highlights and Presenters

 

March 20, 2013 – Strongsville, OH –The International Retail User Group (IRUG), formally the IBM Retail User Group - retail’s leading association of U.S. and international retail systems users, and solution providers; today announced the agenda for the EMV/Mobile Payments focus group meeting. The EMV focus group will kick off IRUG's 36th annual conference April 21 – 24, 2013 in Anaheim, CA. The announcement that US acquirers must be able to support merchant acceptance of the EMV chip technology by April 2013; marked the beginning of the EMV liability shift. US migration to EMV has begun and retailers will have up to 24 months to integrate the new technology.

To meet the continuing challenge to our retail members, IRUG will conduct the third USA IRUG-EMV retailer focus group meeting and workshop on April 21 as part of IRUG’s 36th annual conference. The EMV / Mobile payments meeting is led by a retail steering committee chaired by Andrew B. Morris, a Principal at inCode. The committee consists of members from Scheels Inc., Wakefern, PVH Corp, GFS, Walgreens, and Giant Eagle. The conference speakers and session panelists consist of key retail industry experts who will deliver the latest in education, experiences, best practices and the update to the IRUG EMV roadmap.

 “The EMV steering committee’s purpose was to determine the retail members' understanding of EMV and their concerns and requirements, POS environments, mobile payments and educational requirement for the third EMV conference” said Ron Ferri, IRUG President.  “I was thrilled with the first two EMV programs at the IRUG 2012 conference and the October meeting in Raleigh, NC.  I am looking forward to the continuing success of the EMV focus group and the value it brings to the IRUG retail members, “said Ferri.

The EMV Focus Group is open to all IRUG members and retailers who wish to join with IRUG. IRUG is the leader in providing the most comprehensive EMV knowledge sharing opportunity in the industry. Join and find out everything that you need to know to plan for and implement EMV Chip and Pin and mobile payments in your organization well in advance of the deadline!

“I am proud of the efforts of the EMV/Mobile Payments steering committee in moving the Focus Group forward and the sponsorship and assistance from the industry stakeholders, the brands, PINPad manufacturers, and Acquirers and most appreciated was the efforts of many of our retail members”, said Andrew B. Morris, Principal at inCode and co-leader of the firm’s Mobile Commerce practice and chairman of the EMV/Mobile focus group.  “Our agenda consists of the topics and issues critical to the successful implementation of the EMV and Mobile Payments strategy in the retail organization. “said Andrew.

EMV Focus Group Agenda Topics and Session Leaders:

Future of Payments in Retail - Moderator: Andrew Morris – Chair, IRUG EMV/Mobile Steering Committee (inCode)

EMV: US and Global Update – Doug King - Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Retail Payments Risk Forum

IRUG’s EMV Retailer Roadmap - Moderator: Roger Wolfe - Giant Eagle

Developing a Comprehensive Payments Technology Plan - Moderator: Tom Litchford - Tom Litchford – Vice President, Retail Technology, National Retail Federation and Executive Director of the Association for Retail Technology Standards (ARTS)

Industry Collaboration - Moderator: Randy Vanderhoof – Executive Director, Smart Card Alliance, EMV Migration Forum

EMV Financial Issues for Retailers - Moderator: Mark Horwedel – Chief Executive Officer, Merchant Advisory Group

Payments Innovation Hardware and Software Requirements – Moderator: Marc Windahl – IRUG EMV/Mobile Steering Committee Member (Scheels Sports)

EMV Testing and Certification Requirements - Moderator: Sue Knotts – IRUG EMV/Mobile Steering

Committee Member (Wakefern)

Landscape of Mobile Payments - Moderator: Jack Wong – IRUG EMV/Mobile Steering Committee Member (Safeway)

Customer Experience at the POS - Training Associates & Consumers - Moderator: Jack Wong – IRUG EMV/Mobile Steering Committee Member (Safeway)

 The EMV/Mobile speaker faculty, speakers and panelists consists of the following stakeholders and retailers prepared to share their knowledge and experience:

Retailers - Giant Eagle, Safeway, Scheels Sports, Wakefern, Walgreens, Boscov’s, Costco, Wal-Mart, PVH and Boots UK

Stakeholders –inCode, Isis, MCX, Toshiba, Ingenico, PayPal, Vantiv, ACI Worldwide, Equinox Payments, Heartland, STJ Retail, Visa, Optimized Payments Consulting, DataMax, Ingenico, ICC Solutions Ltd,  MobileBits,  VeriFone,  and American Express,

“For over thirty six years the strength of the International Retail User Group conference has been the quality of the speakers, presentations and the professionalism of the sessions.  “The 2013 EMV/Mobile Payments focus group agenda was crafted by retailers for retailers based on information needs of the retail members..  Relevant information generates enthusiasm, establishes the atmosphere for discussion and dialogue and encourages sharing of experiences and networking to meet the challenges of “The Changing Retail Adventure”. The EMV/Mobile Payments focus group conference is a 2013 event retailers should not miss.

About the International Retail User Group

The International Retail Users Group has, for over thirty five years, provided a platform for hundreds of retailers and retail solution providers to advance retail systems technology.  One of the last of the “true” user groups, it is owned and run by the representatives of the over 300 retail companies that make up its membership.  The group focuses on advancing the state of the art of retail technology for all aspects of the retail enterprise.  It is an independently-run, mutual benefit organization of retailers, and providers of retail solution products and services.

The 36th Annual Conference of the International Retail User Group will be April 21 - 24, 2013, at the Marriott Anaheim, Anaheim, CA.

For more information, please visit www.intrug.org or contact: Deb Jones, VP Administration, (440) 238-5880, or e-mail issug@roadrunner.com

 

Elective Sessions
Elective Sessions - will be presented by retailers, TGCS, and TGCS solution providers. There will be 30 sessions covering a wide spectrum of topics of interest to the retail and associates membership.
 
Focus Groups
The IRUG 36th Annual Conference leads off Sunday April 21st with the third EMV/Mobile Payments Focus Group meeting and work shop.  The Conference also will continue its tradition of offering in-depth Focus Groups with its TGCS POS Application and Self Checkout Focus Groups, held immediately following the conference and attracting strong attendance.
 
Benefits of the International Retail User Group
The International Retail User Group is fundamentally about education and the sharing of experiences, among all its members including Retailers, TGCS and TGCS Business partners.  The strength of the International Retail User Group conference remains the quality of content, industry relevance and the open sharing of member experiences.  Our associate members also share equally with the retailers in all the events, education, networking, exhibits and open environment to develop retail relationships and educate.
 
About the International Retail User Group
The International Retail Users Group has, for over thirty five years, provided a platform for hundreds of retailers and retail solution providers to advance retail systems technology.  One of the last of the “true” user groups, it is owned and run by the representatives of the over 300 retail companies that make up its membership.  The group focuses on advancing the state of the art of retail technology for all aspects of the retail enterprise.  It is an independently-run, mutual benefit organization of retailers, and providers of retail solution products and services.
 
The 36th Annual Conference of the International Retail User Group will be April 21 - 24, 2013, at the Marriott Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
 

STRONGSVILLE, OH – November 13, 2012 – The International Retail User Group (IRUG) formerly the IBM Retail User Group (IRUG) is proud to announce that the organization’s name has been officially changed to the “International Retail User Group” (IRUG).

On August 1, 2012 IBM announced the initial closing of the acquisition of IBM’s Retail Store Solutions (RSS) business and the formation of Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holding Company and Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. With the newly formed subsidiaries, Toshiba Tec has become the world's leading integrated in-store solutions company, offering products and solutions that provide new value to customers.

“As we all are aware, the one constant retailers face every day is change in our business and our customers.  As retailers, IBM professionals, and IBM business partners, we adjust every day to pilot our strategies through the latest vagaries of the change that drives us, said Ron Ferri, President of the User Group. “The User Group is no different. We must maintain our relevance to our members in order to achieve the stated goals of the organization. We will soon be celebrating our 36th year…36 years and many changes. In keeping pace with the dynamics of the retail industry, the time is right to expand the spotlight of the association, adopting a new international focus”.

Early users of IBM’s 3650 RSS founded the IBM Store Systems User Group in 1977. The organization consisted of a small group (6 to be exact) of department store retailers, pioneer users of IBM POS, and IBM retail system professionals. The original name was “IBM RSS Users Group”. They met in the fall and spring to discuss mutual problems, share solutions, and learn from each other, to derive the most benefit from their POS investment.

As the organization grew, adding specialty, supermarket, and hospitality retailers to their ranks, their focus broadened to include the diversified POS platforms represented. It was this diversification, and the introduction of the PC that lead to the inclusion of associate members--IBM business partners, broadening to total store solutions.

The User Group has served its purpose well for almost four decades under a variety of names.  In 2000, in recognition of the rapidly-changing store environment, we changed the name to “IBM Store Systems User Group”. And in the past 5-6 years, our annual conference agenda has reflected the broadening scope of retail, as we introduced topics like RFID, e-commerce, Linux, Cloud, mobile, and now EMV.  Today, retailers, Toshiba, Toshiba business partners, and Retail Professional groups comprise the membership.

All the elements of the retail enterprise—stores, merchandising, operations, logistics, financial, e-commerce, et al—are interconnected through technology and the IS infrastructure world wide that supports it.  You will see our new branding as we migrate to this broadened international scope. We are all excited; retail members, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions professionals, and Toshiba Business partners to be part of the changing face of our organization and hope that you will join us as we continue the journey.

About the International Retail User Group:

The International Retail User Group (IRUG) formerly the IBM Retail User Group (IRUG) has, for thirty six (36) years provided a platform for hundreds of retailers, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions (formerly IBM RSS) and its business partners to advance store systems technology. Jointly, the group advanced the development of Toshiba POS and stores systems solutions to common business problems and establishes a working partnership for mutual benefit. The User Group represents an installed base of hundreds of thousands of Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions POS terminals and other in-store systems. This representation includes all segments of the retail industry including Department Stores, Specialty Stores, Mass Merchandisers, Drug, Food Service, Hospitality and many others. The User Group is a mutual benefit organization of Retail System Users, and providers of support products and services.

To learn more about the International Retail User Group and how to become a member, please visit www.INTrug.org.

For further details on Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, refer to www.toshibagcs.com

Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions is a trademark of Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, Inc.

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STRONGSVILLE, OH – July 25, 2012– The IBM Retail User Group announced BI-LO, LLC as the winner of the 2012 Retail Innovation Award.  This prestigious award was presented at the User Group’s 35th annual conference in Las Vegas, NV - May 20 -23, 2012.  The Innovation Award carries special meaning because the winner is chosen by the winner’s peer group – the membership of the IRUG organization.  The innovative solution provider, Balance Innovations, was also honored with the 2012 Retail Solution Innovation Award. 

The Project enabled BI-LO to implement back office check conversion, vbEPIX in its 206 store locations.  The goals were to reduce bank and check processing fees at the store and corporate, streamline processes, reduce cash office hours and reallocate labor to improve service at the front end.

The award recognizes a retail member and their solution provider with an innovative solution that demonstrates a sustainable competitive advantage through the application of a unique, not easily copied process, business model or software. The solution provider for the winning retailer is also honored with a Retail Innovation Award.  Innovation has been driving competitive advantage in retail; however, in these times of rapid change it has never been more important. 

Judging criteria is based on creativity and uniqueness with the ability to enhance retail: consumer experience, reducing the cost of doing business, speed up the processes and achieving a competitive advantage.  “We are honored to have our project chosen as the innovation of the year,” said Gail Moore, senior manager for customer service and store support with BI-LO.  “BI-LO is seeing the benefits of vbEPIX and it is great to see the project recognized by the IBM Retail User Group.”

The IBM Retail User Group Board of Directors also congratulates hmv Canada Ltd. and its solution provider STJ Retail - Verizon Wireless - and Ahold USA, Inc along with its solution provider Vertex, Inc. for being selected finalists’ for the 2012 “Retail Innovation Award”.

About BI-LO, LLC

Headquartered in Mauldin, S.C., BI-LO operates 206 supermarkets in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, employing approximately 16,995 people. Founded in 1961, the company provides shoppers substantial savings without sacrificing quality or freshness through its BI-LO BONUSCARD® and other exclusive programs.  A committed corporate citizen, BI-LO has donated more than $58 million through its BI-LO Charities efforts to organizations across the company’s footprint since 1983.  For more information, visit www.bi-lo.com.

About Balance Innovations

Balance Innovations is the leading provider of reconciliation and cash office management solutions for the retail industry. Our leading-edge, customizable solutions integrate seamlessly with existing POS technologies to simplify and improve retailers' cash office management operations. Balance Innovations' premier product, VeriBalance, is a software solution that is helping retailers across the United States and Canada increase profitability and improve operations by reducing labor, bank fees and shrink while standardizing and enforcing best practices and corporate policies. Other products include: vbEPIXTM, an electronic check processing solution; vbForecastTM, a cash forecasting product; and vbScoutTM, a self-checkout management tool. Customers range from independent grocers to Fortune 50 retailers. www.balanceinnovations.com

About the IBM Retail User Group

The IBM Retail Users Group has, for over 35 years, provided a platform for hundreds of retailers, IBM and IBM Business Partners to advance retail systems technology.  One of the last of the “true” User Groups, it is owned and run by the representatives of over 300 Retail companies that make up it’s membership.  The group focuses on advancing the state-of-the-art of retail technology for all aspects of the retail enterprise.  It is an independently-run, mutual benefit organization of IBM retail solution users, and providers of support products and services.

July 17, 2012 – Strongsville, OH –The IBM Retail User Group (IRUG), retail’s leading association of U.S. and international IBM retail systems users, and IBM retail solution providers; today reports the successful execution of the first extensive EMV – USA payments program for retailers at its 35th annual conference, held in Las Vegas, NV - May 20 - 23, 2012.   Visa, MasterCard, Discover and now American Express have announced that US acquirers must be able to support merchant acceptance of the EMV chip technology by April 2013, the beginning of the EMV liability shift. This means that the US migration to EMV has begun and retailers will have up to 24 months to integrate the new technology. 

EMV chip technology poses significant challenges to US retailers and IRUG enlisted Catherine Johnson, CEO of ACT Canada, to develop the program presented at the IRUG 2012 conference as a major event consisting of a main tent panel made up of industry stakeholders, an EMV exhibit where retailers could meet with representatives from the brands, acquirers, PIN Pad manufacturers and systems Integrators. The conference was followed by the creation of an IRUG USA EMV focus group.

The sessions described the impact of EMV on the retailers business and technology strategies, and shared how the power of industry stakeholders working together can support a smooth transition. The panel; consisted of representatives from each component of the process required for EMV from: brands MasterCard and VISA, retailer hmv Canada, PINPad manufacturer Ingenico, systems Integrator STJ Retail, and Acquirers Vantiv and Bank of America.

Additionally the members of the panel hosted a booth in the Exhibit Hall, providing the opportunity for attendees to talk one-on-one with the experts; asking questions, networking and sharing experiences regarding Chip and Pin, EMV, and digital wallets. IRUG and the EMV group also sponsored a first ever EMV Focus Group.  Ron Ferri, President of IRUG said, “I am pleased that IRUG was able to; with the assistance of Catherine Johnson, CEO of ACT Canada, put together a program that was focused on the needs of the retailers.  The sponsorship and assistance from the industry stakeholders – the brands, PINPad manufacturers, systems Integrators and Acquirers was most appreciated by our retail members.”

To meet the continuing challenge to our members, IRUG will conduct the second USA IRUG-EMV retailer focus group meeting and workshop in October, 2012.  The EMV Fall meeting will be held in Raleigh, NC.  A retail steering committee consisting of: Stage Stores, Scheels Inc., Wakefern, PVH Corp, GFS, Walgreens, Giant Eagle and technical support provided by STJ Retail has been formed by IRUG to formulate the on-going foundation for the EMV Focus Group and plans for the second EMV meeting this Fall.

 “The U.S. retailers face a tremendous challenge in preparing their hardware and software environments to accept and process EMV chip technology for credit and debit payments.  In an effort to support retailers as they migrate to these technologies, the EMV steering committee’s purpose is to help share information, education and best practices.  The group is also dedicated to serve as voice of the retailers back to the service providers so that they can further enhance their solutions and offerings” said Kelly Hewitt, chairman IRUG EMV Focus Group and past IRUG President.  “I was pleased with the first EMV program at the IRUG 2012 conference and its success.  I am looking forward to the continuing success of the EMV focus group and the value it brings to the IRUG retail members, “said Kelly.

The EMV Focus Group is open to all IRUG members and retailers who wish to join with IRUG. IRUG is the leader in providing the most comprehensive EMV knowledge sharing opportunity in the industry. Join and find out everything that you need to know to plan for and implement EMV Chip and Pin in your organization well in advance of the deadline!

About the IBM Retail User Group

The IBM Retail Users Group (IRUG) has, for over thirty five years, provided a platform for hundreds of retailers, IBM and IBM Business Partners to advance retail systems technology.  One of the last of the “true” User Groups, it is owned and run by the representatives of over 300 Retail companies that make up it’s membership.  The group focuses on advancing the state of the art of retail technology for all aspects of the retail enterprise.  It is an independently-run, mutual benefit organization of IBM store system users, and providers of retail solution products and services.

The 36th Annual Conference of the IBM Retail User Group will be April 21 - 24, 2013, at the Marriott Anaheim, Anaheim, CA

For more information, please visit www.ibmretailug.org or contact: Deb Jones, VP Administration, (440) 238-5880, or e-mail issug@roadrunner.com.

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STRONGSVILLE, OH – June 30, 2011– The IBM Retail User Group announced Duane Reade as the winner of the 2011 Retail Innovation Award.  This prestigious award, accepted by Richard Gilbert, Director of Store Systems, was presented at the User Group’s 34th annual conference in Orlando, FL - May 15 -18, 2011.  The Innovation Award carries special meaning because the winner is chosen by the winner’s peer group – the membership of the organization.  The innovative solution provider Retail Tech jointly with RTC Group, and Agilysys, Inc. were also honored with the 2011 Retail Solution Innovation Award. 
 
Duane Reade needed to replace hardware and software to comply with the parent company directive to interface to a common pharmacy solution, in a limited span of time, with a limited budget.  The innovative solution also contained one of the first two pharmacy chain implementations of the government backed Medagate Program.
 
The award recognizes a retail member and their solution provider with an innovative solution that demonstrates a sustainable competitive advantage through the application of a unique, not easily copied process, business model or software. The solution provider for the winning retailer is also honored with a Retail Innovation Award.  Innovation has been driving competitive advantage in retail; however, in these times of rapid change it has never been more important. 
 
Judging criteria is based on creativity and uniqueness with the ability to enhance retail: consumer experience, reducing the cost of doing business, speed up the processes and achieving a competitive advantage.  “At Duane Reade, we were pleased to have been chosen as the Innovation Award winner for 2011”, said Richard Gilbert, Director of Store Systems.  “We fully understand the honor it brings to our organization and exemplifies our continued endeavors to improve the customer experience.”
 
The IBM Retail User Group Board of Directors also congratulates MIGROS Switzerland, and its Solution provider(s) BIZERBA GmbH, IBM, S3 Italy (IBM Subsidiary) - HMV Canada Ltd. and its solution provider STJ Retail – and Stage Stores along with its solution provider Cornell-Mayo  Associates for being selected finalists’ for the 2011 “Retail Innovation Award”.
 
About the IBM Retail User Group
The IBM Retail Users Group has, for over 34 years, provided a platform for hundreds of retailers, IBM and IBM Business Partners to advance retail systems technology.  One of the last of the “true” User Groups, it is owned and run by the representatives of over 300 Retail companies that make up it’s membership.  The group focuses on advancing the state-of-the-art of retail technology for all aspects of the retail enterprise.  It is an independently-run, mutual benefit organization of IBM retail solution users, and providers of support products and services.