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Square (XYZ) has announced an exclusive three-year partnership with Live Nation Canada as their point of sale and payment processing provider. The partnership, which builds on their successful collaboration since 2022, will expand to the new Rogers Stadium on June 29, 2025.

Square's technology ecosystem will include Square Register, Square Terminal, and the new Square Handheld devices across multiple venues and festivals. The partnership encompasses major venues like Budweiser Stage, HISTORY, and various music halls across Canada, along with festivals such as Veld Music Festival and Electric Island.

The implementation includes in-seat ordering capabilities at Budweiser Stage's premium suite section through Square Online's eCommerce platform.

Cash App and WNBA All-Star Angel Reese have partnered to unveil a renovated community basketball court at Oakwood Beach in Chicago. The project, completed in collaboration with Project Backboard and the Angel C. Reese Foundation, aims to expand access and opportunities in sports for young girls. This initiative builds upon Cash App's growing presence in sports, including partnerships with the Atlanta Dream and sponsorship of the Visa Cash App RB F1 Academy Team. The renovation aligns with Cash App's mission of promoting financial empowerment through sports and supporting the growth of women's sports. The partnership represents a continuation of Cash App and Reese's collaboration from 2024, focusing on championing women's sports and economic equity.

Square announces major product launches ahead of Canada Day 2025, including the new Square Handheld POS device and enhanced restaurant management features. Data shows Canadian bars and restaurants experienced a 36% sales surge during Canada Day weekend 2024, following a 30% increase in 2023. According to a survey, 72% of Canadians plan to spend more time at local restaurants this year. The new Square Handheld, weighing 0.34 kg and measuring 1.2 cm thick, offers water resistance, all-day battery life, and offline payment capabilities. Additional features include Item Splitting, streamlined DoorDash Integration, Scan to Pay QR codes, multichannel menu management, and pre-authorized bar tabs. These innovations aim to help restaurants maximize efficiency during the crucial summer period, which represents approximately 25% of annual sales for many establishments.

Square has partnered with Bambu Dessert Drinks to implement its franchise technology solution across 67 North American locations. Bambu, a Vietnamese dessert and beverage chain that began franchising in 2015, is leveraging Square's comprehensive platform including Square Register, Kitchen Display System (KDS), and Square Loyalty. The partnership enables centralized menu management, streamlined operations, and consistent customer experience across all locations. Square for Franchises provides Bambu with crucial backend infrastructure to manage menus, pricing, and operations from a single dashboard. The implementation helps franchise operators simplify daily operations while giving corporate leadership visibility into performance across locations. This technology modernization supports Bambu's rapid expansion plans while maintaining operational excellence and quality standards.

Cash App Afterpay has announced a significant expansion of its merchant network, adding notable brands including StitchFix, Mejuri, PetMeds, Aviator Nation, Brandon Blackwood, and others. The expansion comes as 63% of Gen Z are shifting away from traditional credit cards to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions due to concerns over hidden fees and high interest rates.

According to Block's Q4 2024 data, 98% of Afterpay purchases had no late fees, and 95% of installments were paid on time. The expansion covers various categories including lifestyle, home, experiences, wellness, and fashion, aiming to provide consumers with more flexible payment options during economic uncertainty.

According to a new Cash App survey on concert spending habits, Gen Z Americans are prioritizing live music experiences over other financial commitments in summer 2025. The survey reveals that Gen Z spent an average of $2,100 on concert tickets in the past two years and budgets around $1,900 for upcoming shows. Notably, 75% are willing to pay premium resale prices, with 21% planning to travel internationally for concerts. Gen Z prioritizes concert spending over designer clothes (29%), investments (20%), vacations (19%), credit card payments (17%), and home savings (16%). While 65% are ready to increase summer experience spending, 50% are actively budgeting for these activities. The survey also found that 39% of Gen Z uses Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options for summer activities, with 19% admitting to overspending on live entertainment.

Square has launched its most advanced portable point-of-sale device, Square Handheld, designed for restaurants and retailers. The device weighs just 11 ounces, features a 6.2" Gorilla Glass touchscreen, and is IP54-rated for water and dust resistance. Key features include barcode scanning, a 16MP camera, and full payment functionality. The device runs on the new unified Square Point of Sale app with seven customizable modes for different business types. Priced at $399, Square Handheld comes with optional Belkin SheerForce protective cases ($39) and is designed to improve operational efficiency for businesses. The launch is part of Square's new biannual product launch initiative, Square Releases.

Square has launched Square Releases, a new biannual product launch initiative that bundles new features and tools for businesses. The centerpiece is the new Square Handheld, a powerful portable point-of-sale device featuring a 6.2" Gorilla Glass touchscreen, barcode scanner, camera, and all-day battery life.

The company introduced a unified Square Point of Sale software with seven industry-specific modes, alongside targeted innovations for different sectors: Food & Beverage (bar tab preauthorization, fractional splitting), Retail (improved inventory management), Services (invoicing up to $1M), and Health & Beauty (automated wait lists, commission tracking).

Square also announced enhanced partnerships, including becoming a preferred POS partner with WooCommerce, and deeper integrations with DoorDash and Uber Eats. New Square sellers will now automatically receive Square Checking accounts, streamlining their banking experience.

Square unveils its most comprehensive restaurant solution, featuring the new Square Handheld device and an enhanced food and beverage platform. The portable point-of-sale device features a 6.2" Gorilla Glass touchscreen, IP54 rating for durability, all-day battery life, and built-in barcode scanner. The company introduced a redesigned Square Point of Sale app with purpose-built modes for different restaurant types. Key improvements include commission-free online ordering (saving up to 30%), a reimagined Dashboard App for mobile management, and new features like Combos and Item Splits. Square also expanded partnerships with Sysco (offering up to $1,000 monthly grocery subsidies), Uber Eats, DoorDash, Resy, and Thanx to enhance restaurant operations and loyalty programs.