One millionth credit card payment terminal opened

It has been announced that the one millionth point-of-sale (POS) terminal able to carry out card transactions has been switched on.

UK card payments association Apacs has confirmed that a machine at the Duke of Uke in London reached the milestone at 11:15 BST on September 26th.

The total number of POS terminals in the UK has increased by 36 per cent since December 2000. Since 1995, the number of outlets accepting plastic payments has increased by over 50 per cent.

On December 29th 2004, Apacs announced that plastic had officially become the most popular method of payment in the UK, overtaking cash for the first time.

"Paying by plastic is now part of everyday life," commented Sandra Quinn, director of communications at Apacs.

"More and more retailers are realising the benefits of providing their customers with the option to pay by card. Similarly, the speed, convenience and enhanced security of plastic means people are far more willing to use plastic."

Figures from Apacs claim that there were six billion card transactions in 2005 – an increase of seven per cent from the previous year.