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Government's pub-only business rates package is "poor decision based on politics", ACT parent company Bira says

29 Jan 2026

The government's decision to give pubs a 15% business rates discount while excluding independent retailers is a "poor decision based on politics rather than what is good for the local economy",... Read more…

Independent retailers demand equal treatment as Government prepares pub rates relief

9 Jan 2026

ACT parent company Bira has has demanded equal treatment for small shops after the government announced plans to water down business rate rises for pubs.
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Christmas and New Year message from ACT Director Jonathan Harrison

23 Dec 2025

An end of year message from Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT.
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Scottish Government urged to cut business rates for indie retailers

11 Dec 2025

ACT parent company Bira has called on the Scottish Government to follow Wales's example and introduce genuine business rates reductions for retail premises ahead of the Scottish Budget on 13... Read more…

Independent retailers to see rates bills soar by up to 15% despite government's "transformation" promises

2 Dec 2025

Independent retailers across the UK are facing business rates increases of up to 15% next year despite government promises of the "lowest tax rates since 1991", ACT parent company Bira has... Read more…

UK's E-Bike Positive campaign to be adopted by the BA & ACT

1 Dec 2025

As of Thursday 1st January 2026, the E-Bike Positive campaign will fall under the joint guardianship of the Bicycle Association (BA) and the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT).
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Cycle to work scheme escapes cap but ACT warns Budget fails cycle retailers on business rates and imports

26 Nov 2025

The ACT has welcomed the Government's decision not to impose a cap on the cycle to work scheme, calling it "common sense prevailing" after weeks of speculation threatened a vital sales tool for... Read more…

Independent retailers reject Black Friday as three-quarters refuse to participate

24 Nov 2025

More than three-quarters of independent retailers, including some of those in the cycling retail sector, are boycotting Black Friday this year, rejecting pressure... Read more…

Stop being a dumping ground for used e-bike batteries

11 Nov 2025

Used e-bike batteries are piling up because too many suppliers are failing to meet their legal obligations and it’s time to stop being polite about it, writes ACT Director Jonathan... Read more…

Independent retailers urge Chancellor - Boost business confidence or risk killing growth before it starts

7 Nov 2025

Britain's independent retailers, including those in the cycling retail sector, are calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use the autumn budget to restore... Read more…

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A fifth of Brits prefer using mobile phones to make payments in shops.

Posted on in Business News

One in five UK consumers (20%) prefer using mobile payment services such as Apple Pay over cash (17%) or chip & PIN card payments (10%) for in-store purchases, a new survey has reported.

pay by phone

Contactless card payments remain the most popular payment option (48%), but younger consumers are driving the adoption of services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, with three in ten 18-24-year-olds identifying mobile payments as their preferred option (30%), according to the survey.

Nearly nine in ten of those who prefer contactless payments say convenience is one of the key reasons for doing so (88%).

“Cash, on the other hand, may not be the convenient option it once was, as two in five (40%) respondents who preferred contactless said they never carried cash. In fact, nearly a third (31%) of all survey respondents said that they never carried cash, while one in fifteen (7%) admitted that they didn’t even know their PIN,” the researchers say.

“Less than half (47%) of our respondents said they would happily shop with a cash-only business, while one in seven people (13%) said that they wouldn’t because they never carry cash. One in three (33%) would still consider shopping with a cash-only business but admit that they’d find it a hassle.”

The survey also found that men are 22% less likely to choose contactless payments and that uptake varies between different UK regions, with consumers in Scotland the most likely to prefer contactless payments (63%) and consumers in Wales the least likely (33%).

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