The report, which analysed customer data from October 2016 to March 2017, shows the sum of contactless card payments for pubs and bars during the period was 47.2%, number two in the list of top 20 merchant types, with caterers following with 47.8%.
Takeaway restaurants were fourth on the list of top twenty merchant types, with the sum of contactless payments at 45.5%.
Guy Moreve, head of marketing at Paymentsense, said: “It’s not just the bakeries, bars and fast food establishments which need to embrace contactless.
“The indication is the even if businesses don’t fall into one of the top 20 categories, they’re losing potential sales by not taking contactless payments and should embrace contactless before they get left behind.”
According to statistics from the UK Cards Association for 2016, over 21 million contactless cards were issued. The total contactless spend was over £25 billion.
The top 20 list can be viewed here.