Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

'More than half of UK card payments are contactless'

UK card payments are contactless’
iStock image
Getty Images

Contactless payments accounted for more than half of all U.K. card transactions in September, says a new report released by trade association UK Finance on Thursday (16).

According to the Card Spending report, in September – which is the most recent month evaluated – about 53 per cent of all credit card payments and 69 per cent of all debit card transactions were contactless.


Overall, there were 1.2 million contactless card transactions in September, a 30.5 per cent increase from last year and 70 per cent increase from two years prior. While contactless credit transactions increased by 28.6 per cent YOY, contactless debit transactions rose by 30.7 per cent.

There were 321 million credit card transactions in September with spending of £16.8 billion, says the report by the trade association, adding that consumers in the U.K. are using more but spending less on their credit and debit cards as compared to last year.

Globally, the UK was an early adopter of contactless payment technology, introducing the first contactless-enabled cards in 2007. The contactless limit is now £100, after rising from £45 limit on October 15, enabling consumers to make larger purchases without the need for chip and PIN.

The recently-released figures by UK Finance seems to be in line with PYMNTS' recent research, which shows the evolution of payment preferences due to Covid-related health concerns. One-third of shoppers say that acceptance of contactless cards would convince them to spend more time at physical stores, including 38 per cent of Generation Z consumers.

More for you

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre
Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre

'Devastating and out of touch' – indies react to Budget bombshell

Following the initial response condemning the Budget as 'the most damaging for independent retailers in recent memory' from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), members have shared their stark reactions to the triple burden of doubled business rates, increased National Insurance, and higher minimum wage costs.

Multiple retailers have calculated specific impacts on their businesses, with costs ranging from £90,000 to £150,000 per year.

"This budget was horrendous for us as a company. Estimated costs to be around £110,000 - £120,000 per year," said Andrew Massey of Masseys DIY in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brocks at Rockwell Green store

Brocks at Rockwell Green store

Christie & Co

'Popular' Somerset store on the market as long-term owners retire


Brocks at Rockwell Green, a Premier-branded convenience store near Wellington, Somerset is on the market as owners Simon and Rachel Brock are now looking to retire - after running the store for nearly 25 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds announced as new co-owners of Wrexham Lager

Wrexham Lager Beer Co Ltd, the oldest lager brewery still existing in Britain that has been brewing in Wales since 1882, has announced Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as new co-owners of the company alongside the Roberts family.

The acquisition was made by Red Dragon Ventures, a joint venture formed by The R.R. McReynolds Company, majority owner of Wrexham AFC, and the Allyn family of Skaneateles, New York. Red Dragon Ventures was created to drive growth in the Wrexham community and Wrexham AFC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Solar and wind power
iStock

Leading beverage brands join forces to accelerate renewable energy adoption

Ten global beverage companies have joined forces under a new industry-wide consortium, called REfresh Alliance, which is designed to help accelerate renewable energy adoption across the industry’s supply chain.

The new initiative invites additional companies from across the beverage industry to pool and scale their resources to remove barriers to renewable energy adoption in the supply chain, provide education on best market practices and support the industry’s transition to Net Zero.

Keep ReadingShow less
disposable vapes

Single-use disposable vapes are displayed for sale on October 27, 2024 in London, England

Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

Vape industry concerned over chancellor’s vaping duty proposal

Vape industry bodies have raised concerns over chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget announcement introducing a flat-rate excise duty on vaping products, saying it could hurt public health and increase financial pressures on consumers.

The new excise tax, set to begin on October 1, 2026, will add £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, with additional VAT. This rate replaces the previous government’s proposed tiered tax structure, which many in the industry had criticised.

Keep ReadingShow less