Getting Out of the Sheetz

Sheetz Inc. (Altoona, Pa.) has announced it will implement radio frequency technology in its checkout systems so customers can wave their credit cards to make payments instead of swiping them.

The program, with Visa USA (Foster City, Calif.), will be installed in 310 Sheetz convenience stores throughout the year.

Using Visa Contactless payments, a new feature on Visa cards, cardholders can simply hold their card near a secure reader at checkout. Visa Contactless transactions utilize a capability embedded in the card that contains payment information, which can be processed rapidly and securely over an extremely short distance at the point of sale terminal. It will also eliminate the need for signatures on transactions under $25. All other aspects of the contactless transaction are handled in the same way as a traditional credit or debit payment transaction.

“The whole idea,” said Louie Sheetz, executive vp, marketing, “is to simply add another layer of convenience for our customers.”

In addition to improving the payment process for shoppers, Visa Contactless payments enable Sheetz to process more transactions in less time and thereby improve operating efficiencies. Visa tests show that contactless payments are up to 25 percent faster than cash transactions and enable merchants to track the day’s receipts electronically.