A compact payment terminal for operating upon a purchase made by a customer at a retail device is provided. The customer carries a mobile communication device that includes a payment module and a communication module. The compact payment terminal includes a first interface for interfacing with the retail device, a second interface for interfacing with the mobile communication device of the customer and a processing unit connected to the first and second interface. The compact payment terminal is configured to receive, via the first interface, a payment request from the retail device, cooperate, via the second interface, with the payment module of the mobile communication device for initiating a payment transaction respective to the payment request, and selectably conduct, via the second interface and the communication module of the mobile communication device, a communication session between the processing unit and at least one server.