Contactless payments key as Brits return to physical stores

Research from buy now, pay later specialist Laybuy has revealed how UK consumers are preparing to return to bricks and mortar stores next week. 

The company surveyed 2,000 people. As coronavirus lockdown restrictions are eased and non-essential retailers reopen their stores, Brits are planning to avoid peak times, cited by 46% of the respondents, and use contactless payments only for purchases (40%). 

Wearing a mask was only fifth on their list of priorities (34%), behind taking hand sanitiser with them (36%) and avoiding spending more time shopping than necessary (38%). Doing less window shopping and browsing was a tactic cited by 22%.

42% are unsure how they feel about returning to the high street, while 38% stated they were nervous and 20% were excited about it. Gary Rohloff, Co-Founder and MD, Laybuy, says: “It’s hugely encouraging to see people preparing to return to the UK high street in such responsible ways.”

“People need to feel comfortable and they already have good ideas on how they will go about it. We’re seeing retailers do everything they can to make their customers feel as reassured and at ease as possible, and we hope this research will provide some useful insights for them.”

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