Brits call for contactless spending limit hike

One in three UK consumers would like to see a further increase of the current £45 contactless spending limit, according to a YouGov survey of 2,081 people commissioned by ACI Worldwide.

Among that group, 40% want the limit to increase to £100.

Also of interest: UK retailers combat coronavirus with contactless payments

“The Covid-19 pandemic has been a massive accelerator and has led to behavioural change among consumers that normally would take years,” says Andrew Quartermaine,” Vice President, Merchant Solutions, ACI Worldwide.

“As shopping habits have changed, so have the attitudes toward alternative payments. Our research indicates that this shift is not temporary but rather the new norm, and retailers need to take note.”

The research also flags up ways retailers can reduce the need to have to touch surfaces when shopping and paying for items in-store. 39% of respondents want retailers to remove the minimum card spending limits.

42% are calling for a greater range of delivery options with more time slots; 31% are after more Click and Collect options. Whilst 30% would like more assistants on shop floors who can help process transactions.

“One of the key findings of this survey is that yes, there has been a big shift to e-commerce, but consumers also want to go back into stores,” says Quartermaine.

“However, safety is a big concern and consumers want retailers to put measures in place to make shopping safe and convenient whatever channel they choose.”