One of Buda's most popular farmers' markets goes digital

The vast majority of vendors here have already made one of these solutions available to shoppers.
 
"We have also launched our infrastructure development program, Doppio, to replace the old, robust POS terminals with solutions that retailers can integrate well into their day-to-day operations. Today, a number of mPOS devices are available, but thanks to the phone terminal solution, even an Android smartphone or tablet can be enabled to accept card payments," said Ferenc Szász, director of business development at Mastercard.

"We believe that the diversity of available solutions can further accelerate the penetration of digital payments, as the entrepreneurs concerned can choose from a variety of solutions, so they experience the development not as a constraint but as an opportunity", he added.
 
To use the phone terminal, merchants need to download an app on their mobile phone and in a few minutes the device is ready to accept digital payments. Customers can simply touch their card, mobile phone, or other payment devices to the merchant's smartphone. 
 
"I was among the first to download and go live with this application," said Miklós Csáki, head of Csakis Alma Manufaktúra. "A common question I get is whether it is possible to pay by card. Once the answer is yes, the customer's eyes start to scan the counter for a device to touch their credit card, watch, or phone. My phone is the terminal! - I indicate to them, holding the device in my hand."

 "The Czakó Farmer's Market is organized on a weekly basis," noted Luca Várady, the market's manager. "In the traditional market sense, with the addition of modern products, different producers come to the oldest wine cellar in Tabán every Saturday and Sunday. It's not just us, our producers also care about conscious, sustainable eating, so jars, and egg cartons are being taken back by our producers and our new Czakó Market canvas bags are in production. Considering that we have new producers every week, it is not expected that the customer will always bring as much cash as they need. Our producers have also noticed that if they always come with such desirable products, they can only help their customers by installing a card reader terminal."
 
Most merchants say it is also a big help that they do not have to deal with large bills and returning change, and that the queue moves faster, which is always a critical issue on Saturday and Sunday mornings. At the market, 90% of vendors accept some form of electronic payment, and the goal is to eventually be able to do all the shopping without cash, according to a press release sent to the Budapest Business Journal.