Swipe cards set for the Co-op
Customers will be able to pay for purchases of 15 or less without using a Pin in the majority of the chain's stores by the 2012 Olympics, if a trial is successful.
Customers will swipe a card over a terminal similar to London's Oyster system. The secure transaction automatically adds the purchase to the customer's credit card bill or debits it from their current account.
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Hide AdThe pilot will begin in 100 stores next year, following an agreement with Barclaycard.
Contactless payment was introduced in the UK in 2007.
Co-operative Group spokesman Mark Hale said: "Contactless payment will mean increased customer choice and faster transaction speed."