Global Convenience Store Focus

Contactless Payment Technology Rolls Out to UK Convenience Stores

Barclaycard is rolling out its contactless payment technology to U.K. convenience stores and independent retailers.

It claims more than 6,000 live terminals now accept contactless payment in the U.K. and the company is aiming to issue at least one million of its OnePulse contactless payment cards to consumers before the end of the year.

These three-in-one cards feature Oyster, the pre-paid travel card, credit and contactless payment. They were launched in the capital a year ago with the aim of helping Londoners enjoy a more convenient lifestyle.

The contactless element of OnePulse enables cardholders to make quick and convenient payments for £10 and under in a secure environment, without having to enter a PIN.

Barclaycard reports coffee and snack bar chains, including Coffee Republic, Eat and Yo! Sushi, have joined several thousand independent retailers in signing up to provide consumers with a fast, simple and secure way of paying.

Further “big name” retailers are reported to be getting on board in the upcoming months.

The OnePulse roll out follows a contactless payment trial with the mobile phone operator O2, which allows consumers to make payments using their mobile phones.

Elizabeth Chambers, chief marketing officer at Barclaycard, says: “Retailers and consumers have shown confidence in both our brand and our contactless products and thousands are now experiencing the benefits of this, secure and convenient payment method.

“Our presence is set to surge with announcements we expect to make in the next few months, and it won’t be long before most of Britain is using contactless.

“Our trial with O2 has shown that consumers are open to the idea of making contactless payments on different types of devices but contactless payments are here and available now for consumers who want them.”

To mark the first anniversary of the OnePulse launch, and encourage more people to experience contactless payment, Barclaycard sponsored the Mayor’s Thames Festival in London in September and gave away 50,000 single-use contactless cards for visitors to use at the festival.