November 1, 2013 - European consumers have made 211 million contactless purchases in the last 12 months (August 2012 to July 2013), according to figures released today from Visa Europe.
The monthly contactless spend has also increased six fold to €285 million in July 2013 as consumers have become increasingly comfortable with using contactless technology. In the 12 months since Visa's Flow Faster advertising campaign starring Usain Bolt, €1.8 billion has been spent on contactless Visa cards, with an average purchase value of €8.63.
Mark Austin, Vice President - Head of Contactless at Visa Europe said: "A year ago we launched the Contactless 2012 campaign to raise public awareness of contactless technology and the convenience and flexibility it brings to day to day payments. We are delighted to see the technology now being used so frequently across Europe as consumers become confident in making every day contactless payments and we're excited about the number of new shops due to roll out contactless payment in the remainder of 2013."
Contactless payments across Europe:
There were 30 million purchases made in July 2013, representing a total spend of €285 million spent (compared to 6.8 million purchases and €48.5 million spent in July 2012). There are currently 69 million Visa contactless cards and more than 1 million contactless terminals across Europe. The average value of a contactless purchase in Europe is €8.63
Visa contactless cardholders can pay quickly and securely by simply tapping the contactless reader with their enabled card at the point of sale for purchases of €20 or less.
Contactless statistics by market:
France
370,000 contactless purchases in July 2013
The average value of a contactless purchase in France in July 2013 is €11.11
More than 8.3 million contactless cards (2.5 million in July 2012) a 229% increase year on year
166,000 contactless terminals (66,450 in July 2012) a 150% increase year on year
Poland
13.7 million contactless purchases in July 2013
The average value of a contactless purchase in Poland in July 2013 is €6.18
More than 10.1 million contactless cards (6.8 million More than 10.1 million contactless cards (6.8 million in July 2012) a 50% increase year on year
140,000 contactless terminals (75,000 in July 2012) a 87% increase year on year
Slovakia
2.1 million contactless purchases in July 2013
The average value of a contactless purchase in Slovakia in July 2013 is €8.62
More than 1.6 million contactless cards (713,000 in July 2012) a 128% increase year on year
13,065 contactless terminals (6,536 in July 2012) a 100% increase year on year
Spain
1.7 million contactless purchases in July 2013
The average value of a contactless purchase in Spain in July 2013 is €34.39
More than 4.0 million contactless cards (1.4 million in July 2012) a 171% increase year on year
266,020 contactless terminals (48,689 in July 2012) a 446% increase year on year
Turkey
670,000 contactless purchases in July 2013
The average value of a contactless purchase in Turkey in July 2013 is €9.25
More than 6.3 million contactless cards (4.4 million in July 2012) a 43% increase year on year
76,329 contactless terminals (56,999 in July 2012) a 34% increase year on year
UK
8.6 million contactless purchases in July 2013
The average value of a contactless purchase in the UK in July 2013 is £6.22
More than 29.8 million contactless cards (24.7 million in July 2012) a 21% increase year on year
288,009 contactless terminals (121,741 in July 2012) a 137% increase year on year
More than 4 million Visa contactless journeys have been made on London buses since December 2012
Notes
Monthly figures from July 2013
Annual figures from August 2012 - July 2013
