Overwaitea adds contactless payment

Overwaitea Food Group has struck a deal with Visa and MasterCard to add contactless payment options at its grocery stores in B.C. and Alberta.

Shoppers will be able to "wave and go" using Visa payWave cards, while MasterCard’s PayPass credit card can be tapped on a special payment terminal to confirm the transaction.

Both systems will save time for customers at the checkout, said Overwaitea spokesperson Julie Dickson Olmstead.

Contactless payments is expected to be the fastest growing payment option at retail over the next five years, taking on debit and cash transactions, according to a study by Technology Strategies International, a tech market research firm based in Oakville, Ont.

“Contactless payments are more convenient and faster than cash, making your stop at the grocery store quicker and easier,” said Mike Bradley, head of products at Visa Canada.

Overwaitea operates more than 120 stores under such banners as Overwaitea Foods, Cooper’s Foods and Save-On-Foods.