The second largest supermarket chain store in South Africa, Pick n Pay, recently started testing Bitcoin payments at its stores.
Bitcoin payments at Pick n Pay
In the recent years, Bitcoin has become a more and more popular payment method for many retail stores worldwide. A recent announcement by the payment software development firm, Electrum, described the recent Bitcoin payment test that conducted at a selected Pick n Pay store. The software integration would easily allow consumers to buy their groceries at Pick n Pay with Bitcoin. Dave Glass, MD at Electrum said following in a statement:
We’ve worked closely with PnP for several years as a key technology provider. Our mission is to support innovative enterprises like Pick n Pay, and together we use the advanced Electrum software-as-a-service technology to move quickly on new opportunities, whilst at the same time delivering the best possible shopping experience,
While Electrum provided the fitting cloud-based transaction system, the South African based blockchain startup Luno, provided the necessary blockchain infrastructure for the POS system.
The video above demonstrates how users can pay at the counter with Bitcoin. The cashier scans the items which the user has selected, then the cashier chooses Bitcoin as payment form and finally, the user scans the QR code where they send their bitcoins to.
Wide Integration of Bitcoin Payment
The South African based Pick n Pay stated that they are very excited to offer the Bitcoin payment option:
As a result of this groundbreaking innovation project, for a limited time customers at Pick n Pay’s campus store have been able to use the Bitcoin cryptocurrency to purchase groceries and services,
Jason Peisl, who is an Executive at Pick n Pay also stated following about the Bitcoin integration:
At Pick n Pay one of our key values is to embrace change and encourage innovation and leadership. To deliver on that promise we are constantly working with our technology partners to find ways in which we can deliver valuable, innovative services to our customers,
Although the news seems to be very exciting for Bitcoin users, Pick n Pay doesn’t have a definite date for full Bitcoin integration for its stores.
What are your thoughts on the bitcoin payment integration of Pick n Pay? Do you think more people will buy their groceries with Bitcoin?
Images courtesy of Pixabay
