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With merchant demand for contactless payments rising fast in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, Verizon Communications Inc. announced Thursday its Verizon Business unit will begin offering Fiserv Inc.’s Clover Flex mobile point-of-sale device to its business customers. The deal gives Verizon clients access to Fiserv’s merchant services for online, mobile, and in-person payment acceptance, as well as debit and credit processing. Key business categories for Verizon include restaurants and retailers.
Clover Flex, which is a handheld point-of-sale terminal, accepts all forms of payment, including contactless scan-and-go and tap-and-go transactions. Verizon Business will equip the device with a Verizon SIM card to facilitate payment acceptance through the Verizon telecommunications network.
Merchant demand for contactless payment options has been increasing in recent months as infection-wary consumers look for ways to avoid touching surfaces at the point of sale. A recent survey among small businesses by Verizon Business reveals that 55% of the firms are concerned with delivering services efficiently amid social-distancing regulations put in place to control Covid-19.
“Businesses are investing in technologies to advance and grow their businesses, address customer needs and adapt to today’s environment,” says TJ Fox, president of business markets for Verizon Business, in a prepared statement. “Providing a touchless experience is another example of our dedication to empowering small businesses with the tools they need to succeed and meet customer demands.”
In addition to contactless payment, restaurants will be able to use the Clover platform to accept online orders for carryout or curbside pickup and offer a touchless ordering and payment for customers dining at a table. Mobile wallets supported by Clover, which processes more than $130 billion in annualized payments, include Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay. In 2019, Verizon generated $131.9 billion in revenue.
“We continue to broaden our distribution network in tandem with trusted service providers like Verizon that want to make it easier for small and mid-sized businesses to access modern solutions like Clover that can help them adapt and grow,” Devin McGranahan, Fiserv’s head of global business solutions, said in a prepared statement.
