Flexible mobile payments spur on the rise of cashless payments in the beauty sector
With the rise of cashless payments becoming increasingly important to consumers, all kinds of businesses are adapting to the ‘cashless society’ – with the beauty industry being no exception.
SumUp’s anonymised transaction data, from businesses in the beauty sector, shows a 164% year-on-year increase in the number of cashless payments taking place, while the amount in sterling taken has increased by 147%.
This increase shows that businesses who adopt SumUp’s payment methods see an increase in both customers choosing to pay with card, as well as the money taken overall.
Salons and beauticians are judged on their ability to provide excellent service as well as great results with hair and nails, and no business should miss out on the chance to offer their skills due to not having the right technology to support a transaction.
With the launch of SumUp’s 3G Reader, beauticians have more flexible options for taking payments from their customers, whether that is eyebrow threading, or new acrylic nails.
The 3G Reader is SumUp’s next-generation card terminal; a standalone payment device that does not require an accompanying mobile app.
With the options of employee accounts and the use of multiple readers, SumUp’s 3G Reader also provides a transparent overview of each employee’s performance – but also, of course, gives the option to ‘up-sell’ during a treatment. Even those salons that offer mobile services or visit their clients can bring the reader, relying on a 3G signal, rather than Wifi connections.
The new standalone card reader is equipped with an integrated SIM card and free data that enables transactions at a 1.69% fee for all debit and credit cards, Apple, and Google Pay – allowing business owners to accept payments anytime and anywhere.
Or Perlman, Country Growth Lead UK at SumUp, comments: “Just as you wouldn’t cut the ribbon on a new salon without the correct nail files, or acrylics, a card terminal is now another essential part of a beautician’s toolkit. Figures from the British Retail Consortium suggest that we’ve reached a turning point in the UK, with cards overtaking cash. This suggests that more than half of a salon’s customer-base will be at least expecting to have that option available – and may look elsewhere if the ease of transaction isn’t there. As we are heading towards a cashless society, to start a business without card payment technology is to begin a step behind the competition.”
