Contactless payments rise as Covid-19 changes shopping habits

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the consumer behavior and consumption patterns, even as the country has begun to unlock completely after months of lockdown.

Since the lockdown started in March, a majority of the consumers have preferred online shopping channels as a safe mode for buying both essential and non-essential goods. They have also preferred to use contactless payment channels to make payment for their purchases, a study has revealed.

According to a new survey carried out by YouGov, a global market research company for American Express India, 69% of surveyed consumers (total sample of 1,000 consumers across 10 cities including Bengaluru) prefer contactless modes of payment such as Paytm, BHIM, Google Pay or PhonePe when they purchase goods.