Amazon has been at the forefront of innovation in e-commerce, and that's because they are constantly looking for new ways, not to sell, but to satisfy customers.  That's a key point.  Instead of advertising products, they provide information and advice to customers either directly or via other customers.  This helps people make better decisions about their purchases.  Looking back, we can see Amazon has been a leader in many areas:

When we talk about computer innovation, we often talk about how powerful computers have become.  But another aspect of computing is the advancements in the man-machine-interface, or the usability of computers.  We've gone from punch-cards to GUIs to tablets with each step of the progression getting us closer to the goal, which is transparency.  Using computers should be so natural that we don't expend any additional effort to use them.

This isn't a Kafka knock-off story about a retail associate turning into a giant bug, although the conclusion could be just as hideous.  I have always thought that the airline industry illuminates the way for retailers in some aspects.  I saw kiosks and QRCodes used at airlines before I saw them in stores, for example.  And airlines invented loyalty programs.  I appreciate the customer service and perks I get from my airline, and I wish I would be treated similarly by my retailers.

Probably the most common question I get asked is, "which emerging payment system is best?"  Its a good question, and unfortunately, my crystal ball is a bit cloudy.  Remember, it took credit cards a while before they got traction.  Some of the same things I hear today ("we don't need a new payment scheme," and "it compromises my privacy") I'm hearing in reference to emerging payments.  And just as those complaints eventually quieted, the same thing will happen and people will adopt new ways of paying.  One thing I can say confidently is that the payment landscape will change over the next 3