Square Launches New Contactless and Chip Reader in Canada
Toronto, October 3, 2017 - Square’s contactless and chip reader is available today to local businesses across Canada. The new reader, designed in part by Square’s hardware engineers in Toronto, makes it faster and easier for customers to pay with debit and credit cards at their favourite local businesses. Canadian sellers from a diverse set of industries, from retail stores to beauty salons to cafes, can now accept their customers’ preferred ways to pay, including contactless cards and Interac Flash and future-proof for the next wave of payment technology like Apple Pay and Android Pay.
With the new reader, customers can tap their contactless-enabled debit card, credit card, or mobile device, or insert their chip credit card. The entire transaction, whether it’s on the go or at the countertop, is complete in seconds.
'Businesses of all sizes should have access to technology that can help them succeed—starting with an affordable, quick and easy way to accept more ways their customers want to pay,' said Jack Dorsey, CEO of Square. 'We believe everyone should be able to participate and thrive in the economy and by leveling the playing field for local businesses, we can shorten the distance between having an idea and making a living from it.'
'We are thrilled to bring even wider availability and acceptance of Interac Flash to local businesses across Canada through Square’s contactless and chip reader,' said Mark O’Connell, President and CEO of Interac Association and Acxsys Corporation. 'We see mobile and contactless payments as the future and Canadian customers and businesses are well positioned to adopt new, safe and last payments technology.'
Based on recent company research, more than 70% of Square sellers from across Canada did not accept card payments before using Square, which shows Square’s payment tools uniquely meet the needs of individuals and business owners in Canada. With the newest reader, Square will continue to provide easy and affordable access for Canadians to get started in minutes, take payments instantly and receive their money as soon as the next working day.
'Our customers are surprised they can have the same quick and easy payment experience at our shops as they do at larger retailers,' said Square seller Anet Gesualdi, co-owner of AG Macarons. 'Being able to accept contactless cards, including debit and mobile payments, shows our customers we are a forward-thinking business.'
The contactless and chip reader is now available for order at Square Shop for $59, with free shipping nationally. To celebrate the launch, we are waiving transaction fees on debit for all new and existing Square sellers through the end of 2017. The new reader will be available in weeks at leading retailers including Staples, Apple, London Drugs and Amazon.ca.
About Square
Square creates tools that helps sellers of all sizes start, run and grow their businesses. Square enables sellers to accept card payments and also provides reporting and analytics, invoicing and next-day settlement. Square’s point-of-sale software help sellers manage inventory, locations and employees and grow sales. Square was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Ireland and the UK. Square operates in Canada through its wholly owned subsidiary, Square Canada Inc. More information is available at square.ca.
Media Contact:
Square Canada, Inc.
press@squareup.com