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Cash vs cashless: Should we be aiming for online-only payments?

13 June 2019

Debit cards are now the most popular method of payment in the UK, and one in ten of us choose not to use cash at all.

Jim McLaughlin

For Jim McLaughlin, the benefits of a cashless business are clear — so much so that his new pizzeria in Glasgow accepts only card payments.

Speaking on The Nine he explained, “[With] handling and processing cash, there’s a cost involved which now is more expensive than just processing a card transaction.

“There’s also a labour cost involved because a manager’s got to physically count all the cash in the morning, and at the end of the night. By taking that out it streamlines the whole operation.”

The advantages and disadvantages of a cashless society

With 1 in 10 adults choosing to live a cashless life, what remains to those who don’t?

But while many choose to pay by card for speed and convenience, some people in rural areas feel aggrieved. The programme visited Kirriemuir, in Angus, where banks’ attempts to push payments online were branded ‘selfish’.

Michala Rogers

Local businesswoman Michala Rogers revealed why she still accepts cash payments in her cafe.

“The majority of my customers do still use cash; most of them aren’t using cards because it’s an older population.”

Whether or not you agree with the idea of a cashless future, it seems there is still some way to go before it can be achieved.

Problems with a cashless society

On ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sounds

Cash vs cashless

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