Rising card payment fees are becoming a serious profit drain for UK businesses. Many SMEs are paying far more than they should, often without realising it. With card payments now the default for customers, even small differences in merchant processing rates can cost thousands of pounds each year.

We work with BreathePay to help UK businesses reduce these costs through competitive merchant processing rates, fast onboarding and fully transparent pricing. The result is lower fees, simpler payments and more money retained in your business.

Why UK businesses are overpaying on card payments

The cost of accepting card payments in the UK has increased steadily over the past five years, with many SMEs paying far more than they realise. As card usage continues to dominate everyday spending, the impact of merchant processing rates cannot be ignored. According to UK Finance, card payments now account for the majority of consumer transactions in the UK, making competitive and transparent pricing essential for protecting margins.

Common issues include:

• Complicated pricing structures that are difficult to compare
• Hidden charges buried within monthly statements
• Long contracts and slow onboarding from traditional providers

For businesses operating on tight margins, these inefficiencies directly reduce profitability.

What are merchant processing rates

Merchant processing rates are the fees charged every time a customer pays by card. These costs typically include:

• Interchange fees: paid to the card issuer
• Merchant Discount Rate: charged by the payment provider
• Additional charges: including terminal rental, statement fees and chargebacks

If your rates are higher than they need to be, your profits are reduced with every transaction. Reviewing your merchant setup is one of the fastest ways to cut operating costs without affecting sales.

How we help UK businesses save

We simplify card payments by providing clear, competitive and flexible merchant services designed for UK businesses.

Key benefits include:

1. Lower card processing rates: saving up to 30% compared to many traditional providers
2. Fast onboarding: start taking payments quickly with minimal paperwork
3. Transparent pricing: no hidden fees or unexpected charges
4. Dedicated UK based support: expert help for retail and hospitality businesses

Whether you run a single location or multiple sites, BreathePay scales with your business.

Real savings example

A retail business processing £10,000 per month in card payments could pay around £170 at a standard 1.7% rate. Switching to BreathePay at 0.75% reduces this to £75 per month, saving £1,140 annually. For higher volumes or multi-site businesses, these savings increase significantly.

Frequently asked questions

Will switching providers be disruptive?
No. BreathePay offers fast onboarding and guided support to ensure minimal disruption.

Are there any hidden charges?
No. Pricing is fully transparent with no unexpected fees.

Which businesses can benefit?
Retail, hospitality, ecommerce and SMEs of all sizes benefit from lower rates and faster setup.

Conclusion

Every pound saved on merchant processing is a pound you can reinvest into your business. Lower fees mean better margins without changing how you trade. BreathePay delivers cost effective and transparent merchant services for UK businesses.

Want to see how much you could save?
Request your free rate comparison today:
https://rmspos.co.uk/merchant-services-with-breathe-payments/

Why choose RMS?

RMS has supported ambitious businesses since 2004, delivering tailored software and EPOS hardware from the Shetland Islands to the Seychelles. We work across multiple retail and wholesale sectors. Contact us to see how we can support your business.

Discover how OpSuite EPOS improves onboarding and user experience for your team.

Information correct at time of publication.