To embed contactless payment technology in watches and jewellery
Mobile World Congress, Barcelona: Barclaycard has agreed two new partnerships that will see its bPay payment technology embedded into high street jewellery and watch brands, expanding the range of wearable devices that can be used to make contactless transactions in the UK.
The agreements are designed to complement bPay’s proprietary range, which comprises a wristband, fob, sticker and loop, and the existing partnerships that already see the technology, which is powered by Visa, embedded within fashion jewellery and mobile phone cases.
The first partnership is with DCK Group with their range of ‘Tutch’ jewellery. DCK is behind the concession jewellery offered in some of the UK’s leading high street retailers and the partnership will see bPay contactless payment technology embedded into some of the most exciting and on-trend jewellery styles on the high street.
The second is with Tappy Technologies, a pioneer payment technology brand, which embeds payments functionality into watches, instantly transforming traditional timepieces into a wearable contactless payment device. Through agreements with a diverse range of highly respected fashion brands, Tappy will bring the ease, speed and convenience of contactless payments to watches available in retailers across the UK.
Tami Hargreaves, commercial director, digital consumer payments at Barclaycard, said: “bPay was designed to meet customer demand for a new, easy and convenient way of paying for everyday goods and services. Thanks to the huge growth we are seeing in contactless payments, consumers are looking for even more convenience when it comes to paying and these partnerships show how the worlds of fashion and technology can combine to provide consumers with quick, easy and convenient ways of making secure payments for £30 and under.”
Kevin Jenkins, regional manager for the UK and Ireland at Visa, said: “Today’s announcement is another example of Barclaycard and Visa co-development in an ongoing, multi-year programme of investment in innovation and infrastructure. We are delighted to go into this next phase of wearable expansion as part of our continuing efforts to give consumers safe, secure and easy ways to purchase the items they want with tech that fits their lifestyle.”
Following the successful introduction of the UK’s first contactless card, OnePulse, in 2007, Barclaycard and Visa worked together on expanding availability of contactless payment technology into wearables, leading to the bPay range of devices being launched in 2015. Since then, 6.6 million spend has been made across 1.1million transactions using bPay wearable devices.
