Intelligent CXO Issue 38 | Page 52

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NFC technology driving shift from contactless card to device first approach ; ABI Research

NFC Forum has announced the publication of its bi-annual Near Field Communication ( NFC ) Usage and Adoption Study . The study , conducted by ABI Research , highlights the accelerating migration from physical to digital wallets , with more than 80 % of those surveyed confirming that they

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER , THE STUDY FOUND THAT THE MAJORITY OF CONSUMERS PREFER TO USE THEIR MOBILE PHONE OR WEARABLE TO PAY OVER A CONTACTLESS CARD . have used a smartphone or smartwatch to make contactless payments . Security , convenience and future digital wallet innovations cement the growing trend towards device first approaches .
For the first time ever , the study found that the majority of consumers prefer to use their mobile phone or wearable to pay over a contactless card . Additionally , when compared to other payment options including contactless cards , QR codes and cash , consumers rated NFC contactless as the most secure , most convenient , most reliable and easiest way to pay in-person .
The study provides a renewed understanding of consumer adoption , familiarity and experience with NFC technology at both a global and regional level , with 55 % of respondents saying they would prefer to use their smartphone or smartwatch to make a payment rather than their card . Ninetyfive percent of those surveyed have left their physical wallet or purse at home on at least one occasion , choosing instead to rely solely on mobile payments . Fiftythree percent confirmed they do so multiple times each week .
“ The 2024 study highlights a significant paradigm shift in the way that people use their contactless devices ,” said Andrew Zignani , Research Director at ABI Research . “ Daily use of mobile payment platforms is becoming increasingly common , with users citing the security , reliability and convenience of digital solutions as core driving factors .
“ As familiarity and understanding of NFC continues to grow , so too does demand for additional applications and use cases for the technology . We are now entering an end-user perception step change whereby NFC is not just considered a payments technology , but a technology that can underpin a variety of different applications and use cases , such as the ability to tap to receive additional product information , for digital car and / or house key storage , use across brand protection or tap to register a product warranty to name but a few .”
Mike McCamon , Executive Director of NFC Forum , added : “ NFC technology enables the creation of efficient , reliable , secure , environmentally-friendly and smart solutions . And with emerging concepts such as multi-purpose tap – an evolution of NFC that allows users to complete multiple required actions in a transaction in a single tap – device makers and solution providers are being empowered to create transformative solutions across all manner of vertical industries . Access control , payments , digital identity , transport and even emerging Digital Product Passport requirements for sustainability all stand to benefit from improved usability and security thanks to NFC .” x
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