Wrap Up, Pay With Card Cutters’ Contactless Paying Scarf

What do Steven Tyler, Audrey Hepburn and holiday shoppers have in commmon? They all are known to wear scarves.

Card Cutters recently launched a scarf with contactless payment technology. Wrapping the wearer up and keeping them warm, the scarf has a chip placed at one end near the tassels and can purchase items up to £30. Working similarly to a contactless credit or debit card, the scarf just drapes the chip over the payment terminal to make a payment.

Still in its prototype stage, the scarf is a product of a bunch of surveys and studies Card Cutters performed to figure out what frustrates holiday shoppers most. The respondents’ answers included carrying big bags, long lines, crowded shops and — quite possibly most importantly — finding the card hiding in the wallet, which was likely also hiding at the bottom of a purse.

The scarf — of all clothing options — was picked as Card Cutters’ wearable because it was “the obvious choice” to the company, calling it “the humble scarf,” as it’s commonly worn during the winter months and is “easily accessible.”

And it was the most popular option in the company’s research after Card Cutters asked its respondents, “Which item of clothing would you want to use for contactless payments when shopping at Christmas?”

Card Cutters sees the scarf as a time saver for customers, who would appreciate not having to fumble around for a card when carrying a bunch of holiday purchases. And, for merchants, Card Cutters sees more transactions coming through quicker.

While the scarf is still in model or prototype stage, the company said it’s a proponent of wearables, as it will create efficiency over time for all parties in the long run.

Wearables are gaining the interest of consumers, this holiday season and beyond. Of course, the smartwatch trend has led the category, but there are other options, like Samsung’s smart belt, called a WELT, and the BMBR jacket that unlocks nightclubs and other exclusive options for the wearer (there are only 15 of them currently made).

In case there is curiosity, Card Cutters’ research showed that the runner-up contactless payment wearable was a pair of cufflinks, with gloves, handbags and bracelets following right behind.