Businesses now have the option to use Apple's Tap to Pay to accept contactless payments using their iPhones; well, kind of contactless, if you ignore the cards being tapped against iPhones that is.
Apple Tap to Pay was launched in 2022, and it has now arrived in New Zealand.
In NZ Tap to Pay is available from Netherlands based Adyen and US company Stripe, which both also offer software development kit access; Worldline, Windcave and ANZ are also Tap to Pay providers, with Emerge coming soon.
The service is being sold by Apple as not requiring any additional hardware or terminals, to accept payments. Stripe said all that's required is a supporting app for the iOS mobile operating system on iPhones, and merchants can accept all forms of contactless payments, including contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets.
Apple's own hardware such as iPhones and watches are of course supported.
Tap to Pay uses the near field communications (NFC) technology on iPhones for the digital transactions. No card details are stored by Apple, which said the service is private and secure.
Worldline which is also offering Tap to Pay said the service is cost-effective and easy to set up and use, with merchants being able to accept payments within minutes through the company's iOS app, using an iPhone XS or later, the latest version of iOS and a network connection.
“Currently, if a business needs to process card payments beyond the traditional in-store checkout, the options are quite limited,” Maxine Elliot, chief executive of Worldine said.
“Usually, when a customer makes an in-store purchase, you typically use a terminal at the checkout. Retailers lease these terminals and pay connection costs, which can be expensive," she added.
"The terminal's software and hardware must also be regularly updated or replaced to stay compliant with evolving regulations,” Elliot said.
R.M. Williams is one of the first retailers to accept Tap to Pay through Adyen, its head of technology Peter Ratcliffe said.
"This game-changing technology has already had such a positive impact on customer interactions at our stores across Australia, making the checkout experience even easier for both our store team and our consumers,” Ratcliffe said.
Lorna Jane's chief technology officer Peter Clarke said the women's activewear business in NZ thrives on delivering exceptional customer experiences, with a particular focus on eventing.
"Implementing Tap to Pay on iPhone while using NewStore POS streamlines our operations, enabling our team to process transactions efficiently with just an iPhone, eliminating the need for additional terminals," Clarke added.
"This also simplifies our workflow during high-traffic periods and off-site events, and ensures our focus remains on delivering top-tier service and products to our valued customers,” he said.
interest.co.nz has asked Stripe, Adyen, Worldline and ANZ for details on what the fees and charges are for merchants using Tap to Pay and will update the story when more information is received.
We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.
Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.