Co-op Announces Contactless Payment
Co-operative supermarket shoppers will get to pay for their groceries using payment cards starting next year. The supermarket chain is calling this contactless payment, which will be similar to the London Underground Oyster card that commuters use. The store’s customers will only have to touch their cards to a reader without having to sign or enter a PIN code.
This is the first time a supermarket has agreed to accept this form of payment, which are cards that Visa and Barclaycard issue that are linked to the user’s bank account. The store says that they will use the system in 100 stores to start with, beginning next year.
The technology for this contactless payment has been tested at many sandwich shops, but it is controversial. It’s been criticized for contributing to a cashless society that makes it harder for consumers to manager their spending. However, it has also been praised for being a very convenient and helpful way to speed up the shopping process. This technology was first used 3 years ago in Britain, and there are more than 9 million cards being used now.
Co-operative director of food information systems Mark Hales says that contactless payment will be very beneficial for customers, as it will mean more choice and faster transaction speed, which will improve customers’ shopping experience. Barclaycard head of UK payment acceptance Stuart Neal says that this commitment from Co-operative shows that this is the future of payments, and they look forward to working with the supermarket to enhance their customers’ in-store experience.