Migros install 'contactless payment' checkouts

In the last two weeks, all 8,500 payment terminals in Migros stores have been converted so that they…

In the last two weeks, all 8,500 payment terminals in Migros stores have been converted so that they can handle "contactless payments", according to a statement released yesterday.

From now on, anyone shopping in any Migros supermarket, M-restaurant, or Migros retail warehouse can pay for purchases up to the value of CH40 using the new contactless point of sale technology.

This is so long as the customer has a credit card with an integrated contactless function (Paypass, Payware or Payexpress). It means that customers will no longer have to type in a pin code while making any small transaction.

With an NCF (non contact function) chip equipped, all that customers have to do is hold their credit card close to the payment terminals for the system to work.

The maximum limit of 40 CHF has been chosen for security reasons, say Migros. If the purchase amount is more than 40 CHF, the payment terminal will prompt the customer to enter a pin code. As an added security feature, no more than 120 CHF per day can be spent via this new contactless method.

Now small purchases can be handled more quickly to 40 francs at the checkout.