Contactless NFC prepaid Gift launched in Kinsale

Dublin, Ireland: December 10th 2010.  Today saw the town of Kinsale become leaders in next generation contactless payment technology in Co. Cork as the majority of Kinsale retailers join together to implement Zapa Technology’s unique gift card scheme.

Customers in Kinsale will simply tap their card at a terminal beside the cash register to pay for goods.  The gift cards can only be redeemed in the town and this ensures the money stays local and everybody benefits. The system operates using Near Field Communications over ordinary mobile phones.  Ireland is the one of the first countries in Europe to use Near Field Communications technology.  Kinsale is the fifth town in Ireland to adopt Zapa Technology’s innovative system.

Payment happens by tapping the card against the contactless reader.  It is hoped that the scheme will encourage people to support local businesses and spend locally, especially in the run up to Christmas.

Zapa Technology was formed by leading Irish entrepreneur John Nagle, who, as former CEO of card payment services company Alphyra, has in-depth knowledge of the payments, mobile and electronic retail transaction businesses.   The technology has the potential for many more applications from the ability to redeem loyalty rewards from advertising posters to payment facilities.  Some of these features are being operated in other towns.

Speaking about the new Kinsale Zapa card, local spokesperson Anna Mulcahy said “We’re delighted to bring this innovative system to Kinsale and we hope it will encourage everyone in the town and its environs to shop local over the Christmas experience.  The Zapa contactless gift card system is very simple to use and we are confident that the people of Kinsale will quickly see the benefits of the scheme.  With so many retailers in Kinsale accepting the Kinsale Zapa Gift Card we believe this scheme will be a huge success for both retailer and customer alike.”

John Nagle, CEO, Zapa Technology said “It’s great to see another entire town taking up our Zapa technology.  We have already deployed Zapa’s Near Field Communications in four other towns with great results.  Our loyalty scheme, the ZapaTag, has already been deployed in Insomnia Coffee shops nationwide, Champion Sports and many more independent AIBMS retailers and we are in discussion with a number of major retailers both in Ireland and the UK, but it’s very exciting when a town has been blanketed with contactless, Near Field Communications (NFC) ready technology.  We believe that as a payment and loyalty system, the ZapaTag system is second to none for both the customer and the retailer.”

Gift Cards can be purchased at

Bolands Gift Shop
Footloose
The SeaView Café
The 1601 Off License

For further information contact:

Nuala Buttner
Q4 Public Relations

Tel: + 353 1 4751444 / + 353 85 1744275