Future Group-owned Central Mall has partnered with MobiKwik, a mobile payments solutions company, to create what they call India's first chain of cashless malls. Users can now walk into a Central Mall and pay for their purchases using their MobiKwik wallets, removing the need for cash or cards.
A spokesperson for Future Group told International Business Times, India, that the service is currently in operation across Central's entire network of malls. The statement issued by Central Mall and MobiKwik puts the number at 32 malls across 20 cities in India.
"We are proud to be the exclusive partner for Central Mall's initiative to launch India's first chain of cashless shopping destinations," Mrinal Sinha, Chief Operating Officer of MobiKwik, said in the statement. "MobiKwik pioneered the cashless payments concept in India and is focusing on offline expansion. This association is another milestone in our journey that is set to upgrade shopping and payment experience at malls, as we know it."
MobiKwik is reported to connect 30 million users with 100,000 merchants that operate both online as well as offline.
In order to make payments for purchases at Central Malls, users are reportedly required to share their registered MobiKwik mobile number and a one-time- password (OTP) with the cashier at the time of payment. The OTP generated is used to verify the payment. Users can use the MobiKwik app to find the nearest Central Mall and for making push payments.
When asked whether the cashless payment facility would be extended to more of Future Group's retail chains, the spokesperson refused to comment.
