Research carried out by payment provider SumUp found the UK saw an increase of 4.2 percent in the number of transactions paid by contactless cards last year. This represents a rise from 83.5 percent in 2020 to 87 percent in 2021 with the method gaining popularity as a way of paying for goods and services while social distancing during the pandemic. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Nine Etienne, vice president at SumUp, spoke about why the UK has embraced contactless payments compared to its European counterparts.
Ms Etienne explained: “As is often the case with the success of new technology, convenience is key.
“Increasingly, we are seeing a desire to streamline interactions between consumers and merchants; we want to order meals and buy clothes with the press of a button.
“In the UK, society operates around ease of access, and we have the infrastructure to carry that out.
“We have widespread cellular networks reaching virtually all corners of the country, meaning that everyone – from independent market traders to pub landlords – has access to make payments quickly and efficiently.
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“Also, most banks in the UK now offer contactless cards as standard issue – a practice which is not extended across Europe.”
On the topic of the dangers posed by paying using this method, Ms Etienne said the UK Government’s increase of the contactless limit is a sign of their confidence in it.
She added:…
