Overview
- An Allensbach survey reports that 47% of respondents paid their last purchase by card versus 41% with cash, marking the first time cards led in the series.
- Younger shoppers lean heavily on phones and cards, with 42% of under‑30s preferring mobile payment, 45% annoyed by cash‑only rules, and 53% favoring a card‑acceptance mandate.
- A Commerzbank/Ipsos study finds about half of small and mid‑sized firms face obstacles to offering digital payments, including unstable internet, security and data‑protection concerns, confusing vendors, setup costs and limited time.
- Businesses also report shifting customer behavior, with 42% observing an increase in contactless payments.
- Consumer irritation with restrictive checkout policies is visible in a viral Austria shop sign insisting on cash but limiting large notes, as 2025 deposit‑return changes increase workload and equipment costs for small retailers.