Marks & Sparks has announced the complete roll out of contactless payments across their network of 644 stores in the UK, a press release from the company reports.
Last summer, Marks & Spencer introduced contactless payments in 25 stores throughout London. The trial was successful and a full roll out was executed. The retailer even extended the contactless payment to their aboveground train and airport franchise store locations.
Current accounts by M&S were launched last September 2012, which was facilitated by contactless Visa debit cards. M&S current account holders also receive a point for each pound they spend using their Visa debit card. Fifty-one percent of customers claimed the added loyalty scheme influenced how they shop in the store, reports 4-Traders.
Contactless payments are becoming ubiquitous across Britain with more and more businesses installing the technology. Throughout the UK there are roughly 26.4 million registered contactless Visa cards and over 200,000 contactless acceptance locations.
M&S reported that after the initial roll out, one-in-seven (14%) London customers are now using contactless card transactions to complete purchases under £20.
“In busy central stores that receive a huge lunch time rush, contactless payments is helping to revolutionize the customer experience. Self check out tills are already very popular, but contactless helps reduce queue times even further, giving customers a payment option that’s even quicker than cash,” said Richard Cooke, store manager at M&S Finsbury Pavement.
London represents the city to host the most contactless payment transactions however the retailer’s contactless technology is also becoming popular in other urban cities such as Manchester, Croydon and Reading. In total, M&S is processing over 230,000 contactless transactions per week. 4-Traders reported that a quarter of the contactless payments were being used at the self-check out points in M&S food halls.
Visa Europe has provided the retailer with the technology that has simplified the till checkout process. The reader saves customers time as they only need to lightly tap their contactless card or enabled phones, against the reader to make a payment. Customers can make purchases under £20 through the use of contactless payments, and do not have to enter a PIN.
Sacha Berendji, retail director at M&S, said in a press release, “Contactless and mobile payment is set to be an exciting part of the future retail landscape. A contactless payment takes place in less than a second, creating a quicker, easier and more convenient shopping experience. Customers are already embracing these benefits and through our roll out we’re ensuring our stores can cater for customers’ changing shopping habits.”
To read the full press release from Marks & Spencer click here or to read the full story at 4-Traders click here.
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