New online payment option comes to NZ

Visa has launched a new payment services that enables consumers to make secure online payments from an device.

According to the company, Visa Checkout is designed to remove the barriers to online transactions, which often prevent people from completing a purchase due to excessive form filling.

According to a recent Asia Pacific survey, which was commissioned by Visa, more than half (53%) of respondents have stopped an online transaction on desktop, laptop, mobile or tablet because filling in information, such as billing and shipping details, was 'too much hassle'. It says a top frustration felt by Kiwis when paying online was having to repeatedly enter shipping, billing and payment details every time they make a purchase (35%).

"As people around the world spend more time and money online, particularly using mobile devices, they are demanding a fast, secure and frictionless way to shop using a payment brand they already know and trust," says Marty Kerr, country manager, Visa New Zealand and South Pacific.

"Through insights provided by consumers, financial institutions and merchant partners, we designed an online payment experience that continues to deliver on this promise, bringing us closer to the simplicity and speed of Visa payWave in the face to face environment," Kerr says.

The payment system is designed to make things easier for consumers and online retailers alike, Kerr says.

Once enrolled, shoppers simply provide their username and password to complete the payment process without the need to leave the merchant's website.

HOYTS, Flight Centre, Event Cinemas and the Movember Foundation are the first merchants in New Zealand to offer Visa Checkout with New Zealand's largest retailer, The Warehouse Group, set to launch Visa Checkout in four of its retail businesses including The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, Torpedo 7 Group and Noel Leeming.

The Warehouse Group will roll out Visa Checkout acceptance across its stores in 2016.

"We've seen huge pickup in the number of customers shopping online and via mobile devices in 2015, with well north of 50% of traffic from mobile, so delivering Visa Checkout is a natural step," says Craig Jordan, chief digital officer.

"Couple that with the launch of two Warehouse Money Visa cards this year, and we are leading the way in providing value, ease and choice for our customers," he adds.

Visa Checkout is also available with more than 250,000 merchants across the world, including Cotton On, Bonds, Dick Smith, Catch of the Day and Village Cinemas in Australia and stores like Shutterfly, Virgin America, Abercrombie - Fitch and Orbitz after launching overseas last year.

ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank and Warehouse Money are all participating in the service , Kerr says. However, Visa Checkout will allow consumers to load cards from other banks as well.