More than 4 in 10 UK shoppers still face card payment surcharges at small shops

With the UK ban on card payment surcharges fast approaching, many small businesses and retailers are yet to drop a card processing surcharge, according to new research.

Although the ban – due to come into effect on 13 January 2018 – was widely announced over the summer, the study of over 1,000 consumers by card machine provider Paymentsense reveals, that nationally, 42% of shoppers have noticed no change and are still faced with surcharges at small businesses, independent shops and food outlets they regularly visit.

Under a third of shoppers in London (31%) said they'd noticed small retailers and outlets have stopped surcharges. This figure was even lower elsewhere – 22% in Manchester, 21% in Birmingham, and only 15% in Bristol.

It's been impacting revenues too - nationally, the study found that well over a third (37%) of shoppers have been walking out when faced with a card surcharge, since the ban was announced.

This figure was even higher for those in London (41%). Across the country, only 8% of consumers surveyed said they still pay surcharges.

According to the study, average card spend in small businesses nationally is £135 a month. This means since the ban was announced, surcharging SMEs have missed out on a share of around £10bn in consumer spending

A quarter of shoppers would also not come back to a store making surcharges Paymentsense research reveals. The figure was even higher in Manchester (30%).

Guy Moreve, head of marketing at Paymentsense, said: "Our study also highlighted that SMEs across the country have lost revenue and customers by maintaining card surcharges, after the ban was widely announced. However, after January 13, everybody will know where they stand.

"We believe the upcoming change will help small businesses as well as consumers. Shoppers previously affected by a potential surcharge are likely to see a saving of between 2-3% per card transaction.