AMT Coffee serves quicker coffees with contactless
15 Jul 2010 12:26
Brand proves commitment to improving customer experience with contactless payments
AMT Coffee has completed its national roll-out of contactless payment systems using Barclaycard technology. Today’s unveiling of the new AMT Coffee bar in Marylebone, London’s fastest growing rail station, by Adrian Shooter, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, marks the 65th branch to adopt contactless – a payments system that will allow customers to purchase goods quicker.
A successful trial of contactless saw almost a thousand customers use contactless cards within a few weeks. Previously the length of time card transactions took deterred AMT Coffee from accepting cards at its bars located in airports and rail stations nationwide, however, the speed of contactless persuaded the customer-driven coffee company to implement card payments at all of its outlets. AMT Coffee also recognised that the costs associated with handling small change transactions easily outweighed the small transaction fees charged by Barclaycard.
Jon Hassall, Chief Operating Officer at AMT Coffee said:
“Before April this year, none of our branches accepted debit or credit cards but the speed of contactless persuaded us it was a must have for a coffee retailer in busy railway stations. We recognise the importance of a flawless customer experience for today’s busy commuter. Contactless is an important part of the future of payments and AMT Coffee is committed to embracing it.”
Stuart Neal, Head of UK Payment Acceptance, Barclaycard, commented:
“AMT Coffee’s customers are looking for a quick and convenient pit stop and by adopting contactless it means that they don’t have to leave the platform to get cash for refreshments. The rollout is a significant development in the progress of contactless and it is encouraging to see contactless being established outside of central London, meaning that our eight million contactless cardholders across the UK can make full use of the technology.”
AMT Coffee is already seeing that contactless is making the payment process more efficient and improving the overall experience for its customers, with them enthusiastically commenting on the ease of purchase.
· “I’m fed up of the ATM in Oxford station hardly ever working – I’m going cashless. At least I can buy my coffee with paywave”
· “The contactless payments are fab”
Barclays and Barclaycard are the leading providers of contactless debit and credit cards and terminals in the UK. Since September 2007, they have issued over 25,000 contactless terminals, enabling retailers to manage transactions quicker and easier.
Contactless allows customers to make purchases of £15 or less, without the need to enter a PIN or enter their card into a payment terminal. Once the card has been held over the contactless terminal, the transaction uses a secure network to automatically add the purchase to the customer’s credit card bill or debit it from their current account.
Notes to Editors:
About contactless
Contactless payment enables customers to make a purchase of £15 or less without the need to sign or enter a pin. Barclays and Barclaycard are leading the way in introducing contactless and there are now over eight million contactless-enabled Barclaycards and Barclays debit cards, helping retailers reduce queuing and cut the cost of card transactions. In line with its history of providing customers with innovative payment forms, Barclaycard also intends to make payments by mobile phone available to the mass market by 2012.
Barclays and Barclaycard are the leading providers of contactless terminals in the UK with 25,000 live and accepting payment throughout the country for retailers including Prêt A Manger, Subway, Yo! Sushi and EAT.
To find out more about contactless payment, visit www.barclaycard.co.uk/contactless/ or www.Barclays.co.uk/contactless
About AMT Coffee
AMT Coffee was created in 1992 by the McCallum brothers, with a clear mission to provide the best cup of coffee in the UK, together with genuine service at a reasonable price.
AMT coffee is located in over 65 railway stations and airport locations across the UK and Europe.
In addition to being the first national coffee company to go 100% Fairtrade, AMT were the first to use 100% organic milk.
More information at amtcoffee.co.uk
- As concerns about the effect of intensive farming methods continue to grow, AMT Coffee is pleased to only use organic milk in their drinks. This way, the dairy cows, the environment and one’s health are all protected.
- Although buying organic costs approximately 20% more than regular milk AMT believe the benefits to all make it worth the cost and they don’t pass cost onto consumers because their prices tend to be lower.
AMT’s ethical commitment goes beyond just coffee…
· Recently switched our sandwiches to free range eggs
· Removing trans fats from our cake/ bar snacks
· Removed trans fat from our Chai
· Fairtrade Cadbury’s Dairy Milk – Coming soon!
About Fairtrade
- Consumer awareness and demand for Fairtrade products is at an all time high in the UK with sales of Fairtrade roast & ground coffee in the out-of-home market doubling last year. Due to this, coffee sales increased by 39% and sales of all products grew by 46%.
- In April 2007 AMT converted the majority of its teas to be Fairtrade and many are also now organic.
- AMT are the only retailer to provide Fairtrade Chai in their Chai Tea Steamer™ product.
By buying Fairtrade, coffee consumers can rest assured that vulnerable farmers in the developing world are guaranteed a minimum price for their product which ensures them a better life and a brighter future.
Barclaycard, part of Barclays Global and Retail Banking division, is a leading global payment business which understands the needs of both purchasers and sellers. It enables retailers and merchants to accept cards, helps customers make payments through card, contactless and mobile applications as well as extending credit to consumers. The company is one of the pioneers of new forms of payments and is at the forefront of developing viable contactless and mobile payment schemes for today and cutting edge forms of payment for the future. It also issues credit and charge cards to corporate customers and the UK Government. Barclaycard partners with a wide range of organisations across the globe to offer their customers or members payment options and credit. In addition to the UK, Barclaycard operates in the United States, Europe and Africa.
Key facts published in August 2010;
- number of UK customers: 11.1m
- number of International customers: 10.5m
- number of retailer/merchant relationships: 85,000.