Tap to Phone, the technology that turns smartphones into a point-of-sale (POS) device, has seen a 200 per cent increase across the globe in the last year, according to new stats from payments giant Visa.
Visa also revealed that Tap to Phone adoption in the UK significantly exceeds the global average – with a 320 per cent growth rate. More than one in five (22 per cent) tap sellers are small businesses in the UK, highlighting how the new technology is helping to democratise access to commerce tools.
“Tap to Phone is the ultimate leveller for businesses,” explained Mandy Lamb, managing director, UK and Ireland, at Visa. “That’s especially the case for new businesses starting out, that 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.”
With more than one in five (22 per cent) tap sellers being new small businesses in the UK, this technology is helping to democratise access to commerce tools. It empowers microsellers and SMBs worldwide to accept contactless payments using only an NFC-enabled smartphone.
Visa says it expects this upward trend for Tap to Phone to continue throughout the coming year as more consumers and businesses may begin to recognise the benefits of tap technology.
Tap to Add Card, which enables users to tap their card to their phone to add it to a digital wallet instead of manually inputting card details, was rolled out globally with Apple Pay in September 2024. It has picked up traction and enabled millions of tokens for more than 100 issuers, helping achieve higher authorisation rates and fraud reduction rates.
Small business support
Visa says that Tap to Phone gives small business owners more confidence, making their operation feel more sophisticated, which ultimately helps them grow their businesses.
Simon Young, events manager and café owner at Reuthe’s The Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks, a small countryside garden and events company in Kent, revealed how the technology impacted his business: “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.
“Now, instead of redirecting customers to the café to buy feed while they’re petting alpacas across our 11-acre grounds, the Reuthe’s team can take payments instantly – creating a seamless experience and driving a 40 per cent increase in sales last year.
“We expect overall business growth of 20 per cent this year, and Tap to Phone will play a huge role in that. It’s transformed the customer experience too, cutting queue times and making purchases effortless. For any small business looking to boost sales and simplify payments, this technology is a no-brainer.”
