Supermarket Companies are Considering Introducing Cashless Payment for their Own Use

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According to the results of a questionnaire conducted by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun in August in collaboration with the National Supermarket Association of Japan, it became clear that many supermarkets are considering introducing their own payment system. Looking at the data, 36% of the respondents said they had "already introduced the cashless payment for their own use," including electronic money and QR code payment, and 11% said they were "considering also introducing them." The　supermarkets considering incorporating such payments make up about 50% of the respondents. The background to this is that the cost increases due to the increase in fees by electronic payment companies such as PayPay. Especially small and medium-sized supermarkets are hit. Major supermarkets have already begun to announce to start their own payment service. Life, which provides services in the Tokyo metropolitan area, started it in December 2020. Heiwado, which is based in the Kansai region, will add a payment function to its own application in January 2022. While the movement to provide in-house payment services is becoming more active in this way, only about 10% of companies have indicated their intention to end the handling of existing major cashless payments. The reason is that although it costs a fee, it will be a means to prevent the outflow of their customers to restaurants and convenience stores after the convergence of the COVID-19.

Sources: Nihon Keizai Shimbun "100 Supermarkets have been Finding a Way to Make their own Payment　System. It has Become Economic Load for them that Paying Fee with PayPay that was Changed from Charge Free to be Charged."(October 19, 2021)
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