More UK consumers expecting taxis to take digital payments as shift away from cash continues, says fresh survey
- Perry Richardson
- 9 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A new survey by global fintech firm SumUp reveals that UK consumers increasingly expect taxis and other services to accept digital payment options, with many actively avoiding businesses that only take cash.
The report highlights how payment preferences have evolved over the past year. More than half of UK consumers (51%) have changed how they pay for goods and services, with 22% switching to digital payments and 15% using less cash due to increased tap-to-pay options.
Cards remain the most commonly used payment method, with 62% preferring to use debit or credit cards. Mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are becoming more popular, particularly among younger users, with 36% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 28% of those aged 25 to 34 adopting digital wallets.
Despite these changes, some sectors have been slow to catch up. In some regions taxis and private hire services continue to rely on cash payments, which may deter passengers. The survey found that 19% of UK consumers find it inconvenient when a business does not offer digital payment options, while 11% will avoid such businesses altogether.
Only 11% of those surveyed said they still prefer to pay in cash, reflecting a wider shift towards digital. However, cash is still used in specific situations. Around a quarter of respondents said they use cash when it is given as a gift, and some prefer it for budgeting purposes or to avoid digital payment fees.
Views on businesses that don’t accept digital payments are mixed. While 24% of consumers believe businesses should offer digital options, they acknowledge that some may face barriers. Yet a growing number still expect digital to be the standard, especially in urban areas.
In London, the trend is more pronounced. Two-thirds of residents have changed how they pay, with over a quarter now using more digital payment methods. Only 8% still prefer cash, and 15% of Londoners avoid cash-only businesses when possible.
Corin Camenisch, Marketing & Growth Lead at SumUp, said: “We ran this survey to gain a deeper understanding of UK consumers’ ever-evolving payment preferences and to offer valuable guidance to SMEs, helping them to adapt to changing consumer behaviours and better meet their customer needs.
“While debit and credit cards continue to dominate as the preferred payment method, it’s clear that cash is slowly declining in use, particularly among younger generations. That said, cash still holds its place for many. Looking ahead, we can anticipate a rise in innovative payment methods like digital wallets, especially as younger consumers increasingly embrace the convenience and flexibility they offer.”
