The latest Barclaycard Contactless Spending Index reveals the amount spent by Barclaycard customers using contactless technology in the UK has multiplied 2.7 times in 2016, with usage increasing 173% by value and 112% by volume. The take-up of contactless transactions is highest among Britain’s silver spenders (those aged over 60) with the number using the technology up 114% more than any other age group, totalling more users than people aged 18-25.
Men and women are adopting contactless in equal measure, with usage rising 67% for both since the limit increased from GBP 20 to GBP 30 (USD 26.38-USD 39.57) in September 2015. The average amount Barclaycard customers spend in each single transaction has also jumped, rising 29% from GBP 6.77 to GBP 8.70 (USD 8.93-USD 11.47).
Discount stores are witnessing the biggest increase in contactless payments with a 736% rise, followed by hardware stores (557%), service stations (210%), drinking places (209%), gift card and novelty shops (197%), hotels, motels and resorts (196%), supermarkets (122%), clubs (114%), beer, wine and liquor shops (108%) and department stores (107%).
In terms of regional usage, London remains ahead of the rest of the country with almost 39% of all card transactions of GBP 30 and under now paid with contactless.
Glasgow has seen the biggest climb in contactless usage with 291% so far this year compared to 2015, followed by Blackpool with 288%, Edinburgh (269%), Cardiff (263%), Hull (261%), Newcastle (258%), Birmingham (247%), Liverpool (245%), Northampton (242%) and Oxford with 227%. London saw a rise of 116%.
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