Tesco is using London as a technology test-bed

All 6,000 payment points in Tesco’s London stores have been upgraded to accept contactless payments, in a move the retailer said would save six seconds for every customer using it.

The move, which has come into effect in 500 stores within the M25, is part of Tesco’s plans to use London as a test bed for new technology rollouts.

“Many people in London use contactless every day, mostly on Tubes or buses, so they are familiar with how it works,” said Andrew Yaxley, Tesco managing director for London.

“Rolling out contactless to all our 6,000 payment points in London makes it more convenient for our customers because they can pop in and out even faster than before. It is just another way we are trying to make life easier for busy, time-strapped customers.”

The Grocer revealed in December that Yaxley was planning a major expansion of contactless payment at Tesco as part of the supermarket chain’s rollout of new services in the capital, as well as a network of click & collect collection points at six London Underground stations.