Dixons Retail to first group to offer Visa Europe's digital wallet service

V.Me, delivered in partnership with payments processor WorldPay in the UK, will be available on the Currys and PC World sites across all of their platforms, from later this year. Visa Europe is in ongoing talks with a number of other retailers about adopting the payment service.

WorldPay deputy chairman Ron Kalifa said: “The introduction of V.me by Visa to Dixons Retail payment portfolio is indicative of consumers’ increasing familiarity with digital wallets to pay for goods and services online.

“Payment acceptance through V.me by Visa enables Dixons Retail to provide its customers with their preferred method of payment and, most importantly, gives the consumer additional confidence that the transaction is completed in a secure environment with a known and trusted brand.”

V.Me will store customers’ card details without them being passed on to the retailer. It is hoped it will help consumers feel safer about shopping online and handing over their details. The serivce also aims to improve the customer journey by streamlining the online checkout service and, in turn, reducing basket abandonment.

Duncan Olby, senior vice-president at Visa Europe, added: “V.Me by Visa is fully optimised for mobile e-commerce, easy to use and gives shoppers confidence and peace of mind when they pay online because we shield their card details.”

Visa Europe is launching the scheme in the UK and Spain later this year with other markets to follow later.