Contactless spending rockets for caterers

Contactless spending has increased by 90% in catering businesses over the past year - the second highest spending increase in the food category.

Contactless purchasing in pubs rose 79% and restaurants saw a 62% increase according to new figures from the Barclaycard Contactless Spending Index.

Half of all Brits are now estimated to use "touch and go" payments at least once a month and one in five (21%) are planning to increase their usage even further, according to the findings.

Overall, contactless spending increased 166% in 2016.

Position	Category	Annual spending increase
1	Service stations	285%
2	Discount stores	234%
3	Gift, card & novelty shops	180%
4	Department stores	170%
5	Supermarkets	156%
6	Postal services	121%
7	Pharmacies	108%
8	Convenience stores	98%
9	Household appliance stores	97%
10	Caterers	90%
11	Pubs and bars	79%
12	Fast food outlets	69%
13	Newsagents	63%
14	Restaurants	62%
15	Commuter transport	26%

Position	City	Annual spending increase\*
1	Manchester	325%
2	Glasgow	308%
3	Blackpool	296%
4	Hull	287%
5	Edinburgh	267%
6	Cardiff	266%
7	Liverpool	260%
8	Newcastle	257%
9	Birmingham	248%
10	Northampton	234%

Tami Hargreaves, commercial director, digital consumer payments at Barclaycard, said: "Brits across the UK are increasingly catching on to the speed and ease of 'touch and go' payments, meaning that for many, contactless is now the preferred way to pay. "In 2016, the increasing popularity of mobile payments and wearables has also contributed to the surge in contactless, and as more retailers continue to accept 'touch and go' as a way to pay we expect this upward trend to continue well into next year." British diners eating out more than ever, research finds >>](/articles/493274/british-diners-eating-out-more-than-ever-research-finds) [Spend in restaurants up by 13% in November, according to Barclaycard >>](/articles/492607/spend-in-restaurants-up-by-13-in-november-according-to-barclaycard) [November sees 'marked slowdown' in hotel, restaurant and bar spending >>