Business · Companies · 19 hrs ago
54% of UK shoppers say businesses recently encouraged cash payments
More than half of UK shoppers said a business encouraged them to pay in cash in the eight weeks before a September survey.
This could mean seeing a sign that cash was accepted or preferred, or being asked directly.
Three-quarters of those asked paid with coins or banknotes, according to the survey commissioned by Link, the UK’s ATM and cash access network.
The businesses included cafes, independent shops, hairdressers, pubs, markets and supermarkets.
Northern Ireland had the highest reported rate of encouragement, at 69%, and 88% of people asked there paid in cash.
Scotland and Wales also had high rates of cash payment among those asked, at 82% and 78%.
The findings point to cash remaining a practical option for many shoppers and to businesses continuing to encourage its use.
YouGov surveyed more than 2,100 people across the UK on September 10 and 11; the survey does not say what businesses or policymakers will do next.
A survey found that 54% of people in the UK had visited a business in the previous eight weeks that encouraged them to pay in cash.
Of those asked to pay in cash, 75% said they completed their purchase using coins or banknotes.
The businesses included cafes and restaurants, independent shops, salons, markets, pubs, retail shops and supermarkets.
People in Northern Ireland were most likely to report being encouraged to pay in cash, at 69%.
The survey was commissioned by Link and conducted by YouGov.
- Who
- UK shoppers surveyed by YouGov.
- What
- 54% said a business had encouraged them to pay in cash in the previous eight weeks; 75% of those asked said they paid with cash.
- When
- The survey was conducted on September 10 and 11. It asked about experiences in the previous eight weeks.
- Where
- Across the UK.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
YouGov surveyed more than 2,100 people across the UK for the research.
The Evening Standard and This is Money published articles about the survey.
- People encouraged to pay cash
- 54% in the UK
- Asked to pay cash who completed purchase with cash
- 75%
- Northern Ireland encouraged to pay cash
- 69%
- Northern Ireland respondents who paid cash when asked
- 88%
- Survey sample
- More than 2,100 people
3 sources
What people are saying
These results show cash remains a practical choice for millions and that many small businesses are actively encouraging its use, making a resilient ATM network more important than ever.
It’s also fascinating to see when prompted, most people are happy to pay with cash and still choose it for certain retailers and services.