The countdown to EMV implementation has officially Begun. Here are some key players and facts and statistics

• Point of Sale (POS) registers are impacted by the October 2015 liability shift deadline
• Target- completed updating all of their 1,801 stores with EMV POS devices
• Walmart and Sames club will have activated EMV readers November 1st
• Home Depot is in the process of upgrading 85,000 POS terminals
• American Express is set to launch a 10 million dollar program to help small businesses upgrade their POS terminals
• Visa is expected to launch a 20 million dollar program to educate consumers and merchants on the importance of chip technology
• Over 100 Million EMV cards are expected to be issued by the end of 2014