Barclaycard plans to issue over 1 million contactless cards in UK

Barclaycard has announced plans to issue over one million contactless cards this year across the UK. Barclaycard began issuing contactless enabled cards in London in September 2007 with the launch of Barclaycard OnePulse, the 3-in-1 card featuring Oyster, credit and contactless payment functions.

At the same time in London, Barclaycard Business launched OneTouch, its in-store contactless payment acceptance technology. Following the success of this London launch Barclaycard Business began its national rollout of contactless technology and now has more than 4,000 retail outlets across the UK with live OneTouch terminals. The company is on track to have up to 20,000 outlets live by the end of 2008.

Elizabeth G. Chambers, Chief Marketing Officer at Barclaycard, said, "In 2007 Barclaycard publicly stated its ambition to make contactless payments a reality in the UK. Our announcement today shows that this ambition is being achieved. Many retailers and consumers are now realising the benefits of fast, secure contactless payments and we are confident that interest will continue to grow across the UK

Of the 4,000 retail outlets already live, more than 2,000 are now outside Greater London, spanning a wide range of consumer spending categories. The range of merchants accepting contactless transactions includes names as diverse as Rowlands Pharmacy, a 500-strong national chain with more than 500 terminals live in the UK and Mind, the leading mental health charity in England and Wales, with 94 terminals live.

Other retailers now set to go live with OneTouch terminals include The National Trust, which will roll out 500 terminals in its gift shops, tearooms, restaurants and admission payment points across the UK. Thousands of other merchants are adopting the innovative new technology each month.

The OneTouch technology is particularly suited to outlets where fast and convenient transactions are needed such as fast food outlets, coffee shops, newsagents, off licenses, bars, pubs, parking facilities and vending machines. Cardholders simply need to touch their card against the reader instead of entering a PIN or signing. The transaction is secure and offers both retailer and customer fewer delays and shorter queues.

Kenny Black, Managing Director for Rowlands Pharmacy said: "We're really excited to be one of the first retailers to roll out contactless nationwide. 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. For our customers, it will be a quick and easy way to make low value transactions for people "on the go" who need to pay for a prescription or much-needed cold remedy in a hurry!"

Robert Monteath, Managing Director of Mind said: "Low value items for £10 or under make up the majority of our shops' sales and raise a lot of money for Mind. With the contactless OneTouch terminals in store, our shoppers will be able to pay for these items much more conveniently and quickly than before. It will help us encourage return visits and spontaneous purchases - all of which boosts our fundraising for Mind."

Well known retailers already involved in the contactless revolution include EAT, Coffee Republic, Books Etc, Krispy Kreme and Yo! Sushi, plus thousands of independent merchants.