ACS welcomes further clarity on the cost to retailers of card payments

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has responded to a letter from the Chair of the Treasury Committee confirming that they have not seen evidence that the costs of operating payment services have increased for card issuers to warrant the recent increases in fees for retailers.

Findings from the ACS’ Voice of Local Shops Survey found that 61% of independent and symbol retailers have not compared or switched acquirers in the past three years, and 48% of retailers who have compared providers in the past three years did not choose to switch.

The ACS’ most recent submission on the acquiring review said that acquirers should be required to provide all pricing information in an easily comparable format.

It also asked for contracts with compulsory end-dates, and measures to ensure payment terminal contracts do not unduly prevent switching providers

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Local shops play a key role in providing customers with a variety of payment methods, but the complexity of the card acquirer market and rising costs makes this increasingly expensive for convenience retailers.

“We are pleased that the Treasury Committee has been examining the cost of card payments for businesses.

“These costs continue to increase for small businesses and ultimately impact consumer prices.

“The Payment Systems Regulator needs to go one step further and set out a timetable for how it is planning to review scheme fees to provide businesses with clarification.”

A consultation on proposals to improve the card acquirer market for small businesses is due in January and ACS will be responding in due course.