Reviews 101

According to a recent report the level of debit card spending at retailers enjoyed an increase in popularity last year, with the level of debit card spending at retailers rising by 11% over the year. This has been partly fuelled by many retailers now banning payment by cheque, which means that an increasing number of consumers have to turn to debit cards, credit cards, or cash. Consumers are enjoying the ease and convenient of cashless payments by using their debit cards.

However, whilst the popularity of debit card spending at retailers increased last year, the popularity of credit card spending at retailers appears to have come to a standstill over the past three years. The figures and reports come from APACS, and show that last year, based on online and offline spending, 42% of all retail spending was on debit cards, whilst just 3% was cheque payments, and 32% cash payments.

Officials state that the reason behind credit payments remaining static in terms of popularity compared to debit cards is that many people are now keen to avoid getting into loan debt, preferring instead to make payment for purchases right away wherever possible.

An official from APACS said: "We are becoming increasingly reliant on our plastic cards at retailers as they offer us convenience, speed and access to services, such as the cashback facility, which other payment options cannot provide. Different situations suit certain payments and it seems that the high street is truly the place for the debit card." Debit cards could enjoy increased popularity as more and more consumers find it increasingly difficult to get a credit card due to tighter lending conditions stemming from the credit crunch.