Can't Live Without It

can't live without The Green Sheet. The information in the articles has a good mix of what's going on now and in the future. My favorite column to read is Ed Freedman's "Street Smarts." I am also very impressed with the New Products stories and the last GSQ. Keep up the great work!

David Myers

Looking for Numbers on POS Terminals and Merchants

I would like to know the total number of POS terminals in the United States. Can you also tell me the number of merchants there are in the country?

Phil McNeil

Phil: We do not have statistics like these on hand, but we can give you some suggestions on how to pull them together from different sources. First, try searching previous issues of The Green Sheet and GSQ, which are archived on GS Online. You can use our FastFinder search engine. Visit www.greensheet.com .

Also try researching through other associations or trade groups such as the National Retail Federation, Food Marketing Institute or National Association of Convenience Stores to get an idea of their membership numbers and industry stats that they track.

Other sources might include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and local chambers, or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Editor

Sizing the Small Business Processors

What percentage of the total U.S. credit card transaction volume is generated by small businesses per year? We are trying to size the small business payment processing market but are having difficulty locating this statistic.

Thank you,
ssantamaria

ssantamaria:

We are currently compiling data for our GSQ Vol. 7, No. 3, which is a report on the acquirers market. This report will be available in December 2004.

Editor

No Recommendations, Guidance

I have a merchant who needs leasing for a POS System: a computer, touch screen and register set up. Do you know of a leasing company that would take such a merchant?

Thank You,
Heidi Chan

Heidi,

We do not make recommendations for particular companies. You might check the companies listed under "Leasing" in our Resource Guide. I would also advise posting your request on GS Online's MLS Forum at www.greensheet.com/forum/ .

Editor