Asda to pilot contactless payments with Streamline and Visa Europe leading UK supermarket to launch contactless technology

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Asda to pilot contactless payments with Streamline and Visa Europe leading UK supermarket to launch contactless technology.

Asda, the UK's second largest supermarket retailer, will this summer become the latest business in the UK to introduce contactless payments in partnership with Streamline and Visa Europe. The new contactless payment option will be available across 25 stores from July onwards.

 
The contactless technology, provided by Streamline and Visa Europe, means that some Asda customers will be able to simply tap the reader with their contactless enabled card, and pay in less than a second when making payments of up to 15 (rising to 20 from 1st June). The technology is expected to reduce queues, especially during peak periods.
 
The deal will see Asda capitalise on the growing popularity of contactless technology. Today there are around 20 million contactless cards in circulation in the UK, with a total of 30 million anticipated by the end of 2012.
 
Matthew Rowsell, Chief Commercial Officer at Streamline, said: "This partnership is the latest step in the contactless revolution that we're seeing right across the UK. Bringing Asda on board reinforces how popular and necessary contactless has become. Streamline is committed to keeping retailers up to date with the latest industry and consumer trends, with ongoing support and guidance in implementation."
 
Mark Austin, Head of Contactless, Visa Europe said: "The rollout of contactless technology by organisations like Asda is helping to set the scene for a major change in the way we pay. We're excited to be working with partners across the industry and remain committed to the rollout of Visa payWave to match the ever increasing uptake of Visa contactless cards by British consumers."