Retail, hospitality businesses ‘moderately’ using new system

RETAIL and hospitality businesses around the country have the highest number of consumers purchasing goods and services via mobile merchant payment method, specifically mobile payments in the first quarter of this year, according to a report.
The 2021 BSP digital payment statistics report highlighted that small retail and hospitality businesses in the country were moderately engaging in the new approach of fast and transparent payment solutions through the BSP mobile banking platform.
Embracing the efficiency of the approach, these businesses were ushering a new era of transaction behaviour via the mobile phones that were intervening to enhance the way customers paid for goods and services.
The results showed a shift from cash and card to mobile payment as the “mobile point of sale” which represented the biggest opportunity to enhance business growth in PNG through a fast, transparent and seamless way of making payments.
Hence, from the statistics of 2021 and first quarter 2022 report, the number of SME merchants stood out in leading the way with digital payments in the country.
Duffy Café, which currently has four express locations around Port Moresby – Harbour Side, inside Jackson International departure lounge, BSP head office, Waigani and the main outlet at Gabaka Street, Gordon – was one of the very first in the country to tap into the mobile payment trend.
The café accepted payments via card and BSP mobile merchant payment.
Duffy Café sales supervisor Aileen John said: “The key to influencing customer behaviour is to display signage with the merchant code and also guide the customer on how to pay with their mobile phones.
“The receipts are cashless, an added advantage that is environmentally friendly.”
Another local SME Zatisfied Café and Catering also offeresd BSP mobile merchant payment solutions as a payment option to its customers.
Located inside the Telikom Rumana building at Waigani, the coffee shop offered a variety of affordable delights.
The food outlet received an average of 10 mobile payment transactions per day.