“I’ll have a half double decaffeinated half-caf, with a twist of lemon. Oh, and let me pay for that wirelessly.” These are words you could soon hear at your local Pret A Manger, as the store will soon let you pay for your coffee and sandwiches using the wireless power of your mobile.
By April next year, the chain aims to have installed Near-Field Communications (NFC) equipment – the technology behind wireless payments – in 171 of its UK outlets. Pret has already trialled the use of this technology in seven of its stores.
The main driving force for this development comes from Barclaycard and Commidea – the company pioneering the NFC technology. They claim that the chain’s wireless installation will “dramatically reduce queuing times” for its starved shoppers.
Several restaurant chains have already installed similar wireless payment technologies, including Yo! Sushi, Coffee Republic and some O2 stores.
TBC | £TBC | Pret A Manger (via The Register)
