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Cycling Scotland emphasises difference between legal and illegal e-bikes and praises work of E-Bike Positive campaign

18 Sep 2025

Cycling Scotland has highlighted the crucial distinction between legal and illegal e-bikes, warning that confusion risks undermining public trust in a technology that is helping thousands switch... Read more…

Barber shop proves it's a cut above the rest picking up coveted British retailers award

2 Sep 2025

A barber's shop in Northern Ireland has proved that it's a cut above the rest by picking up the inaugural Love Your High Street Award 2025, following a public vote that attracted over 2,230... Read more…

Independent retailers face Fresh challenges as UK inflation climbs to 3.8%

20 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has expressed serious concern following today's announcement that UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than the expected 3.7% and marking the tenth consecutive month... Read more…

Bike industry continues to face challenges as profits and forecasts falter at Giant, Canyon and Shim

14 Aug 2025

The global bike industry remains under pressure as Shimano, Giant and Canyon all report weaker profits and subdued outlooks for 2025.
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ACT to join industry leaders at brand new cycling trade event this September

13 Aug 2025

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases... Read more…

Independent retail crisis deepens as nearly half see sales plummet compared to last year

12 Aug 2025

Britain's high street crisis has deepened dramatically with nearly half of independent retailers, including many in the independent cycling retail sector, reporting sales have crashed compared... Read more…

Independent retailers slam £5.9bn "de minimis" import loophole as Government delays action

11 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has condemned the Government's inaction over the "de minimis" import loophole following a Sky News investigation revealing £5.9 billion worth of cheap imports... Read more…

Criminals undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards collapse

7 Aug 2025

Bira has warned that criminals are undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards services collapse, following a new Which? investigation.
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ACT welcomes Government's new product safety laws

23 Jul 2025

A leading cycle traders association has backed the government's move to protect consumers from dangerous products sold through online marketplaces, following Royal Assent of the Product... Read more…

Small Business Strategy Inquiry 2025 - ACT and Bira call for members to share their voice

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on... Read more…

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Consumers' retail credit card spending overtakes cash

Posted on in Cycles News

A new report by a retailers' trade body has said that consumers have spent more money on credit cards with UK retailers in 2018 than they did in cash.

The chart below shows a payment survey undertaken by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) which shows that debit cards remained to be the form of payment with most money being spent through it, accounting for £216.4bn of sales, whilst cash dropped to the third most popular at ££77.7bn. Credit and charge cards accounted for £81.9bn, or 22%, of retail sales last year - outstripping cash for the first time in the last 20 years of BRC payment surveys.

 

However, cash was actually still used more frequently than credit cards, although the typical transaction using cash was worth over £20 less than the average credit card payment of £31.54. Cash accounted for just over £1 in every £5 spent with UK shops.

The BRC argued that rising costs faced by retailers to process card payments could push up prices. Andrew Cregan, policy adviser at the BRC, said that falling cash use and growth of online shopping were both factors in the shift. A cashless society is cause for concern for vulnerable people, such as those with physical or mental health problems, who find it hard to use digital services, people who have been bankrupt, or those who use cash as a lifeline when in difficult or abusive relationships, could also be severely affected.

Despite this, the BRC outlined their main concern to be for retailers and the cost of accepting card payments. The BRC stated that the average cost faced by a retailer for a debit card transaction was 6.23p, rising to 18.19p for credit or charge cards, compared with 1.66p for cash, and these costs continue to rise sharply.

 

Card Processing with ActSmart

ActSmart offer two card processing options; Global Payments for established businesses with medium to high card turnover and Paya Card Services for new and smaller businesses with lower card volumes. 

Global Payments

Global Payments is ideal for established or larger businesses that will save you save you time & money in-store, online and through mail order. Credit card rates start from 1.090% and debit card rates start from 0.29%. The offer also includes a free set-up worth £150 and three months free terminal rental.

Paya Card Services

Paya Card Services is ideal for start-ups and small businesses. Features include a pay-as-you-go account with a fixed, all-inclusive rate with no additional fees, including PCI. It also offers in-store, online, mail order and mPOS solutions with no minimum contract term and no monthly minimum charge. The offer also includes a free sign-up worth £99 and an optional discounted countertop terminal just £1.75 p/w.

For more information about either of the ActSmart card processing partners please visit the ActSmart website.

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