Press releases

Barclaycard Business has today announced that it is ready to launch the UK’s first contactless card terminals to retailers in London. September sees the launch, by Barclaycard, of the UK’s first contactless payment card and Barclaycard Business is in discussions with a number of top retailers in the London area about accepting the new cards.

To help retailers Barclaycard Business has set up a specialist contactless sales, marketing and technical team to help make accepting the new technology a reality for retailers in 2007.

This announcement follows the successful trials of the new terminals. For the past four months, a number of terminals have been live and operational in Barclaycard’s Northampton office and Barclays HQ in Canary Wharf.

Contactless technology means faster, easier transactions for retailers as there is no need to wait for a PIN or signature for transactions of £10 and under. Transactions are processed through the same reliable and secure payment network used for Chip and PIN meaning retailers are protected against fraud in the same way. It is particularly suited to retailers in which fast and convenient transactions are a necessity such as fast food outlets, coffee shops, newsagents, off licences, bars, pubs, parking facilities and vending machines.

Tim Carlier, Sales and Marketing Director, Barclaycard Business, said: “The roll out of this new way of accepting card payments is an exciting step for us and our customers. September sees the launch of the UK’s first contactless card by Barclaycard and later on in the year other card issuers will also be introducing the cards in the London area. It is important that retailers, especially in London, are ready to accept this new technology.

“The trials have shown us that the technology works so we can now concentrate on working with retailers to start the roll out in September. We expect to deploy thousands of terminals this year and this number will significantly increase during 2008 and beyond as the technology spreads across the UK.”

Industry estimates suggest that over 5 million contactless cards will be issued by the end of 2008, and that they will be accepted in at least 100,000 merchants.*

*Source APACS Press Release – ‘Banking industry confirms cross-industry plans to roll-out contactless technology on credit and debit cards’ 8th May 2007.