Superdrug has become the latest business in the UK to go contactless in partnership with Streamline and Visa Europe. Contactless payments are now accepted in 50 stores across London and Liverpool, with countrywide expansion plans during 2012.

Superdrug says the contactless technology, provided by Streamline and supported by Visa Europe, will offer customers faster transaction times and reduced queues. It will also offer a cost effective way of taking payments of up to £15.

Today there are around 20 million contactless cards in circulation in the UK, with a total of 30 million anticipated by the end of 2012. There are over 75,000 acceptance terminals in the UK with a significant increase expected over the coming year.

Earlier this year, Streamline and Visa Europe successfully implemented contactless technology nationwide with McDonald’s.

Gill Smith, Superdrug financial director, says: “The adoption of this technology will provide a new and improved experience for our customers, with reduced queues and faster transactions.”

Mark Austin, head of contactless, Visa Europe, adds: “The increase in contactless acceptance, led by organisations like Superdrug, TfL and McDonald’s, has set the scene for a major change in the way we pay. The growing contactless infrastructure across the UK also paves the way for the introduction of mobile payments. We’re excited to be working with partners across the industry to make the future of payments a reality – both on the high street and online.”

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