Spending on debit cards last year was up 9 per cent on the previous year, totalling£89 billion, a 37 per cent share of the£240 billion total spend. Cash accounted for 31 per cent of sales.
Apacs director of communications Sarah Quinn said: 'There are many reasons behind this continuing trend to pay by debit card and one of these reasons is that more businesses are accepting debit cards. However, it is also being led by us as customers - debit cards have been around in the UK for almost 20 years so we now have an entire generation of shoppers who reach for their debit card instead of cash.'
In December 2004, Apacs reported that combined credit and debit card sales had overtaken cash transactions for the first time. Combined spending on cards continues to increase, amounting to 63 per cent of total retail spend last year.
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