Global payments processor Elavon has signed up to burgeoning mobile payment service Zapp – sponsor of the mobile and Moblity track at Internet Retailing Expo on 26-27 March – giving Zapp access to almost all the UK’s main payments providers and bringing critical mass to the service ahead of its launch later this year.
The news follows the announcement in January of Zapp’s lead financial partners – HSBC, first direct, Nationwide, Metro Bank and Santander – who are all supporting Zapp. Elavon join already confirmed Zapp payment partners WorldPay, Optimal Payments, Realex and SagePay who will help roll out Zapp digital payments to millions of consumers later this year.
Zapp enables merchants to benefit from higher conversion, lower cost and more secure checkouts. Zapp is integrated into existing high-street banking apps so consumers will be able to use their mobile device as a seamless payment tool, both in store and online, with no need to download any new app or transfer funds into different digital wallets. Zapp gives consumers and retailers a convenient, lower cost, alternative to cash and cheques.
Speed is crucial to retail success, Zapp enables money to be moved faster, providing instant settlement, and customers will move through the checkout process incredibly quickly. Zapp can also work with many technologies a retailer has in place at the point-of-sale, including NFC, Bluetooth or existing pin-entry devices.
Andrew Rush Head of Product Innovation at Elavon says of the deal: “Elavon is focused on payments innovation and continually extending the range of new services available to our customers. Offering a range of payment options at the checkout is crucial for retailers today; Zapp represents the leading UK mobile payment facility with the broadest financial services industry support.”
Peter Keenan, Chief Executive of Zapp, adds: “Momentum is increasing as Zapp moves towards market launch. This announcement means that thousands more merchants and millions of checkouts can use Zapp’s best in class check out experience. I’m delighted to welcome Elavon into our growing ecosystem of partners. Zapp is an open and inclusive platform and it is hugely encouraging to see the industry coming together for the good of consumers.”
