Contactless is key to supporting business
There is demand for new ways of shopping and paying
ANNETTE HICKEY
PAYPAL CHIEF
CASHLESS transactions will be crucial as Irish consumers look to support local businesses following lockdown, research has shown.
The Paypal survey of 2,000 people revealed 66% plan to buy more local or regional products in the future.
A cashless approach is important for almost two thirds of Irish shoppers.
In fact, 39% do not want to use cash going forward – that translates to more than 1.9 million people.
Some 67% of shoppers revealed they are open to trying new contactless methods in shops, with 61% preferring to avoid touching a card reader pad when making purchases.
Despite the increasing popularity of online international shopping in Ireland in recent years, the study showed that people have chosen to support local shops and smaller businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. They were found to be the most popular option for consumers throughout the coronavirus lockdown, with almost two thirds choosing them.
Other popular reasons cited for doing so were that shoppers had made purchases in these shops previously and it was faster to get the products they wanted.
Paypal chief Annette
Hickey said: “The Covid-19 lockdown impacted everyone and many uncertainties still remain.
“But there is a silver lining in that communities are coming together in Ireland and supporting each other – not just people helping others but also spending with local businesses and retailers.
“This will continue to be vital as we move forward and take steps towards economic recovery, but change is needed.
“As our research shows, consumers want to invest in the regions where they live but there is a demand for new ways of shopping and paying, as can be seen with the large proportion of people who don’t want to use cash or touch a card reader.
“With more than 1.35 million customers in Ireland, we know how important it is for people to be able to manage, move and spend their money how they want and via the methods they choose.
“So, as well as implementing measures to help facilitate socially distanced shopping, businesses need to enable people to purchase goods in different ways in-store or, alternatively, buy online.
“In doing so, together we can overcome the obstacles posed by the pandemic and create a brighter future, a safer experience and a stronger Ireland.”