Barclaycard is sending out more than a millioncontactless payment cardsin the UK
this year as existing cards are replaced with cards fitted with
contactless technology.
These cards can make small payments in participating retail
outlets by being waved in front of a card reader rather than swiped
through. The can also have added functionality such as Travelcard
capabilities.
The company started offering customers contactless cards in
September last year when it launched
OneTouch. This is a card with
Travelcard, credit card and contactless payment
functionality.
More than 4,000 retail outlets in the UK can take OnePulse
payments with 20,000 expected by the end of 2008.
Elizabeth Chambers, chief marketing officer at Barclaycard, said
retailers and consumers can benefit from fast, secure contactless
payments, and she expects interest to grow across the UK.
Kenny Black, managing director for Rowlands Pharmacy, said there
are multiple benefits for retailers. "Contactless means an end to
long customer queues at the till. It also means less time cashing
up as we will take fewer coins, and fewer paper receipts has to be
good for the environment."