Cash is a Ghost of Christmas Past

Dublin, 19 December 2016: Visa Inc. (NYSE: V)Whether online or in-store, buying gifts or enjoying Christmas revelry, shoppers are foregoing cash, opting for the speed and convenience of contactless cards and new payment methods.

UPTAKE OF CONTACTLESS

With 165 million contactless cards and 3.4 million NFC-enabled terminals across Europe, usage has grown from 36% in 2015 to 52% in 2016, according to Visa’s 2016 Digital Payments Study. This trend is not solely reserved for younger, more tech-savvy consumers. Contactless uptake has increased across all age demographics, the greatest increase within the 55-64 age bracket, which has witnessed 64% growth since 2015.

CONTACTLESS DRIVING NEW WAYS TO PAY

Moreover, the adoption of contactless cards is having a tangible impact on other payment methods. In Ireland, contactless card users are more open to using a mobile device as a payment method in a shop (52% contactless card user vs 32% non-contactless card user), to shop via a retailer app (54% vs 37%) and to pay for a meal (53% vs 31%).

As well as reaping the benefits of contactless payments, consumers are also recognising the benefits of other new payment methods. In 2016, 44% of the people Visa surveyed across Europe reported using mobile payment apps, up from 38% last year. Nearly half (46%) agree that having the option of paying using their mobile or wearable device has made it easier to buy the items they need.

This added convenience is also fuelling an uptake in digital wallet usage across a variety of purchasing channels. Irish consumers are interested in using digital wallets to make purchases face-to-face (40%), through apps (58%), as well as online (64%). Consumers agreed that greater convenience (63%) and the ability to pay anytime, anywhere (60%), were the primary benefits.

SHOPPERS MERGING IN-STORE AND ONLINE

Visa’s Digital Payments study also revealed that shoppers are using a combination of online and physical channels when making purchases, particularly for more expensive items. Three in four Irish consumers are “showroomers” who view an item in-store before purchasing online, while nearly as many, 69%, “webroom”, meaning they look for the best price online, before purchasing the item in that retailer’s shop.

Despite the rise on online Christmas sales, bricks and mortar continue to be an integral part of shoppers’ behaviour. 59% of Irish consumers still enjoy the experience of interacting with staff and seeing the potential gift in person.

Philip Konopik, Country Manager at Visa Ireland, said:

“European consumers’ increased familiarity with contactless cards is gradually normalising the use of mobile wallets and other digital payments. This Christmas will see a host of different methods used to pay for the gifts under the tree, celebratory drinks with friends, and even the Christmas turkey.

“Consumers are now armed with a variety of new ways to pay - such as wearables and a range of digital wallet options on their mobile devices. These options provide consumers shopping in store with a number of fast, easy and secure ways to buy.

“Retailer success this Christmas will hinge on their ability to give consumers access to their preferred payment method.”

ENDS