Retailer adopts near field communications (NFC) payment technology in London stores

Retailer adopts near field communications (NFC) payment technology in London stores

Marks & Spencer has become the latest business in the UK to adopt contactless NFC credit card payments in some of its stores. 

The new contactless payment option will initially be available in 25 stores across London, including Marble Arch, Stratford City, White City and a number of Simply Food stores. These stores are expected to go live throughout Summer 2012.

Adding payment convenience to shopping experience

The contactless technology, provided by Streamline and Visa Europe, enables consumers to touch the reader with their cards for everyday items under £20. Transactions take place in less than a second, giving both retailers and consumers speed and convenience. For retailers, contactless payments help to reduce the costs associated with cash handling and the related security costs of having cash on site.

Mark Austin, head of contactless at Visa Europe, said: “We believe the introduction of this service will be of great value to their [Marks & Spencer] customers. We now have over 21 million contactless cards in circulation in the UK and we are excited to add Marks & Spencer to the list of retailers accepting contactless payments in all of their stores.”