Tesco rolls out PayQwiq payment app across UK estate

The supermarket giant has made its PayQwiq service available in every UK store, including its Extra, Metro and Express formats, following “positive feedback” from shoppers during an initial trial.

PayQwiq, which is available to download on both Android and iOS smartphones, allows shoppers to store their debit card and Tesco Clubcard details and pay for baskets worth up to £250 with one scan of their phone.

Tesco’s roll out of PayQwiq comes as retailers ramp up investment into mobile payments in order to keep valuable customer data out of the clutches of tech giants, including Android and Apple

Scanning a code at the checkout instantly takes payment and adds points to the shopper’s Clubcard account through the digital wallet.

As previously reported by Retail Week, Tesco initially piloted the app in 50 stores in London and Edinburgh, before extending the trial to 500 stores within the M25.

Tesco’s digital wallet and group payments strategy director Mark Loch said: “PayQwiq offers customers a simple, convenient and secure way to pay that helps them save time at the checkout and collect Clubcard points with one simple scan of their smartphone.

“Since the initial roll out of PayQwiq, customer feedback has been very positive and we are delighted to make PayQwiq available to all Tesco customers across the UK.”

Investing in mobile payments

Tesco’s roll out of PayQwiq comes as retailers ramp up investment into mobile payments in order to keep valuable customer data out of the clutches of tech giants, including Android and Apple.

The grocer’s big four rival Sainsbury’s is trialling its SmartShop app, which allows users to make shopping lists at home using their smartphones, create a personalised store navigation guide for the products being bought, scan products using their phone and then pay via their mobiles at dedicated checkouts.

Asda’s owner Walmart has also launched its own alternative in the US in a bid to expand customer payment options and increase the speed of checkouts in its stores.

The US retailer’s payment service has been integrated into its existing app, meaning customers who have already downloaded it on their iOS or Android device can add a credit, debit or pre-paid gift card to their account.

Similar to Tesco’s PayQwiq service, Walmart shoppers are presented with a unique QR code at the checkout, which they scan using their smartphone, rather than using the near field communication technology adopted by contactless systems Apple Pay and Android Pay.