Woolworths Ltd is planning to roll out contactless payment facilities across all brands, to make the shopping experience quicker and more convenient and help reduce time spent waiting in checkout queues.

Contactless payment will allow Woolworths customers to use their VISA payWave cards to wave and go at the checkout without the need for a PIN or signature for transactions up to $100.

Dhun Karai, Head of Group Financial Services at Woolworths said “This move continues Woolworths’ extensive track record in developing innovative payment solutions for customers.

“We were the first to introduce contactless payment facilities at our petrol stations in 2009 via our proprietary e-pump technology. Woolworths was also Australia’s first national retailer to implement world class chip payments security as well as pre-swipe and the provision of PIN on credit card payments that have allowed our customers a faster and more secure service at the checkouts.”

Of course Woolworths supermarket customers will also be able to use other cards, like the new HSBC debit cards with Visa payWave.

Vipin Kalra, Visa’s Country Manager Australia, said “Consumers love the convenience of being able to pay with a contactless card and we are delighted that our cardholders will soon be able to benefit from the speed and security of Visa payWave at one of Australia’s leading retailers. This move demonstrates Woolworths’ commitment to payment innovation.”