Lleida's businesses will begin to accept Bizum payments gradually starting next Monday using NFC technology, with the customer's mobile phone brought close to the sales terminal, similar to a contactless card payment. The system will reach establishments through the applications of banks such as BBVA and CaixaBank.
The novelty enters local commerce with an initial contradiction. While business associations in the sector see the measure as a useful and increasingly common option among consumers, some merchants in the Eix Comercial state that they are still unaware of how it will work or that they do not intend to use it if it involves linking payments to a personal number.
The sector endorses Bizum payments, but part of the Eix Comercial does not plan to use it
Manel Llaràs, president of Pimec Comerç Lleida, stated that they find the initiative positive because it adds another payment method that can work in the daily operations of establishments. In his opinion, these transactions are already frequent among the population and can facilitate commercial relations between consumers and businesses.
Llaràs did, however, introduce a caution related to the cost of the service. The president of Pimec Comerç Lleida expressed caution about the possibility that banking entities might apply some commission for this system.
Maria Rosa Armengol, general secretary of the Federació de Comerç, also defended the incorporation of any tool that streamlines operations between customers and companies. Armengol highlighted the key to practical implementation and that both parties are prepared to use it.
"If the consumer wants it but the merchant is not prepared, it cannot be done, but over time it will become normal" - Maria Rosa Armengol, general secretary, Federació de Comerç
On the other hand, several merchants from the Eix Comercial of Lleida explained that they are still unaware of the measure. One of them refused to use it because he does not have a company mobile phone and does not want to operate with his personal number, while another indicated that he will only keep the card terminal and cash payments.
Bizum Pay will enter service on June 1 and will allow payments from 0.50 to 500 euros
The deployment in physical stores will be supported by banking applications and Bizum Pay, a multi-bank wallet that will enter service on June 1. The planned operation replicates the gesture of contactless payment and allows completing the purchase by bringing the phone close to the terminal.
Bizum was born in Madrid in 2016 and allows operations between 0.50 and 500 euros. The platform exceeds 31 million users and has around 100,000 merchants, in addition to offering cross-border transfers with Italy, Portugal, and Andorra.
Representatives of the commercial sector demanded that all payment systems incorporate maximum security in their operation. They also admitted that they do not yet have exact figures on how many businesses in Lleida will join the new platform.
The multi-bank wallet Bizum Pay, which will channel part of this implementation in physical stores, will come into service on June 1.