UK retailers Boots, Argos, House of Fraser and The Hut Group will be among the fi rst in Europe to offer MasterCard’s new cross-channel payment solution, MasterPass.
The MasterPass digital service enables shoppers to store details of a variety of payment, store and loyalty cards, as well as their shipping and billing address details. That means they can make payments using either a payment card or an enabled device with a single click, tap or touch, online, in-store or in any other location. MBNA will be one of the fi rst issuers of MasterPass cards.
The range of MasterPass services includes checkout services that can be used online and in-store from MasterPass connected wallets. In-store, MasterPass will work with NFC and QR codes to inform consumers about their payment choices. Retailers, banks and other partners will be able to offer their own MasterPass wallet or connect their own wallets to the MasterPass acceptance network. There will also be a range of value-added services, such as offers, experiences and integration with loyalty programmes. MasterPass is already live in the US, Canada and Australia and will launch across Europe and other territories throughout 2013 and 2014.
Meanwhile, the much vaunted ‘pay-by-face’ technology that allows PayPal users to use their PayPal account to make payments in shops using their face as authentication has arrived in the UK – well in the leafy, well-to-do London suburb of Richmond-upon-Thames, where PayPal has an office.
In a first for the UK, consumers can now make payments on their mobile phone and be recognised by their first name and picture. A dozen businesses in the high street are now embracing cutting edge technology to allow their customers to pay with PayPal – while giving a more personal service.
Rob Harper, Head of Retail Services at PayPal, comments: “This is another step on the journey towards a wallet-less high street, where customers will be able to leave their wallet or purse at home and pay using their phone or tablet. We predict that by 2016 this will become a reality.”
