Natalia Muscatelli
08/06/2020 - 10:43
- Clarín.com
- Economy
- Economy
Despite the fact that electronic payments skyrocketed in the quarantine, the use of cash still has a good number of followers: 8 out of 10 Argentines consider "cash" as a fundamental means of payment for their daily lives and a component important in reviving the economy.
This is stated in a study carried out in June by the online market research agency OH! Panel, in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay . The survey took a sample of 2,400 cases of different ages, places and professions, and presented various results on the perception of consumers in relation to the current economy and the role of different means of payment.
Among the results, the perception of the importance that Argentines give to cash for daily life and the growth of small and medium-sized businesses stands out : according to 94% of the respondents, small businesses require the cash payments for its normal operation, as it is the most common, reliable, fast and economic payment method.
In addition, the survey reveals that, in Argentina, a large percentage of daily transactions are carried out in cash, such as purchases from local stores (81%), payment of services (25%), and purchase of clothing (27% ) or fuel loads (36%), making money one of the main channels for the daily economic activity of most people.
Another important point was the preference of cash for not having maintenance costs, insurance or taxes, such as the debit or credit tax. 60% of Argentines maintain that money is the cheapest means of payment and 8 out of 10 say that having cash is practical or gives them peace of mind.
The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect consumers' perception of cash, which is considered universal use and quick and direct access for all people.
On the other hand, when the respondents had to answer whether the country is ready to operate without cash, 85% considered that Argentina is not prepared for such a change and that it needs the normal circulation of money to keep the economy moving.
Cash continues to be the easiest means of payment for all of society and the most accepted by all sectors, despite the fact that Argentina has a greater use of credit and debit cards compared to the rest of the surveyed countries.
The results obtained by the study show that the majority of consumers prefer to have banknotes, and that the existence of other means of payment does not replace money, as it is the most direct, simplest means of payment and does not depend on technological factors. What's more, many people - in the midst of the pandemic - prefer to go to the ATM a few times and have more cash on hand.
NE
