PayPal has inked deals with four major UK high street retailers that will see customers able to make in-store payments using their mobile phones.
Launching tomorrow for iOS and Android devices, the PayPal InStore app can be used in 230 Coast, Oasis, Warehouse and Karen Millen stores.
Customers download the app, link it to their PayPal account and set up a PIN for security. In store, the app generates a unique barcode and transaction number, which the shop cashier scans to take payment from the customer's PayPal account.
The UK partnerships come days after PayPal signed 15 major US retailers to another in-store payment system as it steps up its assault on the bricks-and-mortar world.
Separately, American Express is extending its successful US partnership with Foursquare to the UK, enabling participants to check in to participating merchant venues over Twitter and collect special deals on purchases. AmEx has secured £10 and £5 discount deals with a number of top high street retailers for the launch, including Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge, Eat, House of Fraser, Nando's, PizzaExpress, Primark, Strada and Tesco.