Visa Tap to Phone Adoption Surges 320% in the UK
In an era where contactless payments have become the norm, Visa’s Tap to Phone technology is revolutionising the way businesses accept payments. By turning an NFC-enabled smartphone into a point-of-sale (POS) device with just an app download, this innovation is making payment acceptance more accessible than ever.
Visa recently announced a remarkable 200% global increase in Tap to Phone adoption over the past year. In the UK, the growth has been even more impressive, surging by 320%. This rapid expansion is enabling millions of sellers worldwide to accept contactless payments with minimal setup.
Driving Business Growth for SMBs and Microsellers
One of the most significant benefits of Tap to Phone is its ability to support small and micro businesses. More than one in five (22%) of Tap to Phone users in the UK are new small businesses, making it a crucial tool in democratising access to commerce.
Mandy Lamb, Managing Director for Visa UK & Ireland, highlighted the transformative power of this technology:
“Tap to Phone is the ultimate leveller for businesses. Especially for new businesses just starting out, they can set up shop and instantly accept payments using a mobile device they already have in their pocket. With over 18.3 billion contactless payments made in the UK in 2023 alone, it’s clear that consumers love to tap. We’re excited to be expanding our tap capabilities even further to create even better payment experiences for people and businesses in the years to come.”
Read More: How Retail Businesses Are Adapting To The Contactless Payments
Real-World Impact: Case Study of Reuthe’s The Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks
For small businesses, the flexibility and ease of use provided by Tap to Phone are game-changers. One such success story comes from Reuthe’s The Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks, a countryside garden and events company in Kent.
Simon Young, Events Manager and Café Owner, shared how Tap to Phone has transformed their operations:
“Tap to Phone has been a game changer for us. It’s turned every staff member’s phone into a mobile checkout, meaning we can make sales anywhere – whether at a pop-up bar, along a woodland trail, or even while feeding the alpacas. Instead of redirecting customers to the café to buy feed while they’re petting alpacas across our 11-acre grounds, our team can take payments instantly. This seamless experience drove a 40% increase in sales last year.”
Looking ahead, Young expects overall business growth of 20% this year, with Tap to Phone playing a crucial role in improving efficiency and customer experience.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right POS System
The Future of Tap-to-Phone and Contactless Payments
The adoption of Tap to Phone technology is expected to continue growing as more businesses recognise its benefits. Beyond simple payment acceptance, Visa is expanding its tap-enabled features to further enhance the consumer experience.
Tap to Add Card
Visa introduced Tap to Add Card, allowing users to tap their physical card to their phone to instantly add it to their digital wallet. Launched globally with Apple Pay in September 2024, this feature has gained significant traction, improving authorisation rates and reducing fraud.
Tap to Confirm, Send, and Request Money
Visa is also innovating with Tap to Confirm, a quick and secure way to authenticate high-value transactions, and Tap to Send and Request Money, which allows users to tap their card or digital credential to a friend’s phone to seamlessly transfer funds. Later this year, this feature will launch on Samsung Galaxy devices under the name “Tap to Transfer.”
Read More: Increasing Sales Through Digital Innovation In 5 Simple Steps
A Seamless Payment Future
With Tap to Phone and other tap-enabled innovations, Visa is redefining the payments landscape. As adoption rates soar, small businesses, consumers, and major retailers alike will continue to benefit from more accessible, secure, and convenient payment solutions. The future of contactless payments is here, and it’s only getting better.
