AI-Powered Commerce: Transforming Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Payment Systems

In this episode of Payments Beats, Bernadette Walsh, Marketing Partnerships Manager at Payments Consulting Network and Merchant Advisory, speaks with Alex Rezvan, Founder of The Retail Podcast, about the changing role of physical retail in an increasingly digital world. Drawing on examples from his recent travels across Europe, Alex shares how brands are transforming stores into destinations that foster community, emotion, and memorable experiences. The discussion explores why experiential retail and human connection remain important despite advances in AI and automation.

In this episode of Payments Beats, Payments Consulting Network and Merchant Advisory Chief Operating Officer, Liz Beggs, interviews Mastercard Asia Pacific Senior Vice President, Services Business Development, Donald Ong, about how AI is reshaping commerce, cybersecurity, data analytics, and payment systems across Asia Pacific.  

In this episode of the Voice of MPE, the official podcast of Merchant Payments Ecosystem, host Faheem Bakshi, Payments Lead at Kinguin, leads a forward-looking conversation on the evolving world of instant payments and their growing impact on merchants, consumers, and payment infrastructure worldwide.  Mangala Martinus, Managing Director at Payments Consulting Network & Merchant Advisory, brings insights from the Australian market, where innovations like PayTo and QR code adoption are helping merchants reduce card costs while giving consumers more control.   Fabian Mansfeld, Chief Acceptance Strategy Officer at EPI Company, shares how the company is building a unified European solution for instant payments by integrating platforms like iDEAL and Payconiq.   Together, they explore the challenges of interoperability, consumer protection, and the next frontier of scalable, secure, and accessible payments in Europe and beyond. 

In this episode of Payments Beats, Liz Beggs, Chief Operating Officer of Payments Consulting Network and Merchant Advisory, sits down with Ryan Alfons Kaloh, Marketing Director of Alfamart and CEO of Global Loyalty Indonesia, at NRF APAC 2025. With over 22,000 stores across Indonesia and the Philippines, Alfamart is redefining what it means to be a "mini market"—serving not just as a grocery destination but as a trusted payment point and community hub. Ryan shares how the company's online-to-offline (O2O) strategy, investment in data infrastructure, and commitment to localising customer experience have driven growth in a rapidly evolving retail landscape. The conversation also touches on the importance of seamless omnichannel promotions, the challenge of cash dominance, and the opportunity AI presents for efficiency at scale.  

In this episode of Payments Beats, hosted by Liz Beggs, Chief Operating Officer at Payments Consulting Network and Merchant Advisory, we explore the dynamic intersection of physical and digital retail with Ian Bailey, Chairman at Anko Global and former Managing Director at Kmart. As they gear up for NRF'25 APAC in Singapore, Liz and Ian discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities of operating in an omnichannel environment. From the complexities of customer identification across payment methods to the importance of fulfillment, data, and digital innovation, this conversation dives into what it takes to succeed in today's global retail landscape.  

In this episode, Payments Consulting Network Director, Garrett Cassidy and Fexco payUnite CEO, Brian Cleary, dive deep into the evolving landscape of merchant payments in 2025. From the latest innovations in digital transactions to the growing role of independent payment partners, we explore what's driving the industry forward. We'll also break down the rise of payment orchestration and why businesses are rethinking their approach to managing multiple payment providers. 

Sphere for Good provides tech to merchants, banks and payment gateways that help its customers take climate action easily and add value to their business. Its solutions enable its customers to take action quickly and efficiently. Payments Consulting Network Research Director, Richard Hartung interviewed the Sphere for Good CEO, Shaun Lordan to gain insights into the services Sphere provides and its impact on sustainability. He also recommends ways to reduce the carbon footprint, and provides reporting for its customers.

The Payments Association Pay360 event is the largest payments event in Europe.  Ahead of the event, Garrett Cassidy, Director at Payments Consulting Network interviewed Ian Povey, CIO Payments Technology at NatWest Group, about where the industry is and what the future holds ahead of his C-Suite keynote panel at the event – "A payments crystal ball: What will change the industry in the next 24 months". 

In this episode, hosted by Mangala Martinus, MD of Payments Consulting Network and Merchant Advisory, tackles the buy versus build dilemma in payment orchestration. Our expert speakers: John Lunn, CEO at Gr4vy and Anthony Bracic, Head of Product at Wpay, outline the key considerations businesses face when deciding between building an in-house solution or buying a third party. They discuss the common challenges; key considerations; success stories; the importance of scalability and futureproofing for innovation; and ease of customisation.

Merchants find it challenging to keep up with the innovations on Network Tokenisation. In this episode, Liz Beggs, Chief Operating Officer at Payments Consulting Network and Merchant Advisory, dives into a discussion with Cameron Fredericks, Payment Partnerships Manager at David Jones and Surin Fernando, Senior Vice President and Head of Customer Solution Centre at Mastercard Australasia, to give merchants a better understanding on what it is, updates in this space and the benefits for online businesses to implement this capability.