Adoption of NFC payment beacons at checkout boosts SBP usage
Usage of NFC payment beacons at store checkouts increased the share of payments made through the Fast Payment System (SBP) from 15% to 19%, a rise of almost one third. Delobank analysts based these findings on a study conducted with entrepreneurs and organizations that use this payment tool, data drawn from socialbites ca and other industry observers. The study suggests that the NFC-based option is gaining traction among retailers and customers alike.
Entrepreneurs surveyed identified three main drivers behind the surge in SBP adoption. First, the NFC plate enables payments not only via QR codes but also through tapping a smartphone, a method customers often perceive as more convenient and faster. This tapping gesture reduces delays at the counter and smooths the checkout experience.
Second, paying with a QR code typically requires printing the code or presenting the terminal in a way that makes the code readable to the customer. In many cases, this creates friction at the point of sale. The NFC tag eliminates these display challenges and simplifies the process for both staff and shoppers.
Third, the payment sign attached to the NFC beacon stands out in the payment area, attracting attention and signaling a modern, contactless option to customers who might otherwise overlook it. The study notes that this visual cue helps normalize and accelerate the decision to pay with SBP.
Overall, 34.2% of buyers surveyed indicated awareness of NFC tags, experience paying with them, and recognition of the convenience of this method. The researchers highlight that brands and retailers who not only install the payment sign but also train staff to demonstrate the payment method see better conversion and increased customer trust at the point of sale. Delobank’s leadership observed higher income and lower bank commissions as a result of broader SBP adoption and more efficient transaction flows.
NFC payment beacons appeared in Russia during the past year. Since early 2022, more than 1,100 such signs have been installed nationwide, signaling a strong push toward contactless options for everyday purchases. Near Field Communication (NFC) technology supports data exchange between devices at very close range, typically 2 to 20 centimeters, such as a smartphone and a payment terminal in a retail store or cafe. This proximity-based interaction is designed to speed up payments while maintaining secure, encrypted exchanges between devices.
How customers pay using an NFC tag
Here’s how contactless payments via an NFC beacon unfold at checkout. A store employee enters the transaction amount and selects the NewPay SBP payment method. The payment data is transmitted to the NFC tag embedded in the beacon, and the customer simply brings their phone near the tag. The device automatically opens the payment page with the branded interface. The customer then sees the amount and chooses a bank to complete the payment through the SBP app, confirming the transaction and selecting an account. This is the basic NFC tag workflow at the point of sale.
If the NFC tag is in place, payment via SBP can be completed without downloading an additional app. In cases where a phone lacks NFC capability, the transaction can be completed by scanning a QR code instead, offering a reliable fallback for a broad range of devices and situations.
Historically, Delobank reported that a large portion of the population had already experimented with QR code payments, underscoring the ongoing transition toward more flexible payment technologies across the market.