A power outage at payment processing company Worldpay caused widespread card payment failures at supermarkets across the UK on Tuesday evening, disrupting shoppers during England's World Cup group stage match against Ghana.
Stores including Tesco and Morrisons were among those affected, with customers unable to use card or contactless payments. The issue began around the time of England's 9pm kick-off, adding to the frustration for shoppers.
Shoppers Left Frustrated
Staff directed customers to self-service machines that accept cash, while queues formed at cash machines outside stores. Many shoppers took to social media to express their frustration.
One wrote: "Massive card payment issue in multiple shops I've just been in. Scores of customers stuck as no card or contactless payments working."
Another added: "Tesco card system is f****d at the minute. No payments being taken. Bedlam, cash only and only about 3 checkouts that can take cash. Shouldn't have pushed a cashless system."
Power Outage Cause
Worldpay confirmed the issue was due to a third-party power outage affecting transaction authorizations on multiple platforms. A spokesperson said: "A third-party power outage is affecting transaction authorizations on multiple Worldpay platforms. Some transactions may be declined or result in an error."
Power has since been restored, and Worldpay technical teams are working to recover all affected platforms and restore full service. The company did not provide a timeline for complete resolution.
Impact on Stores
Tesco stores saw long queues at the few checkouts able to take cash, with one shopper noting the app was also down. Morrisons also experienced disruptions, though the full extent across other retailers remains unclear.
The outage highlights the reliance on digital payment systems and the chaos that can ensue when they fail. Many customers were caught without cash, unable to complete their purchases during the busy evening period.
