More than half of Britons now leave wallets at home as digital payments rise, Link data shows
Link survey finds just 48% of people see carrying a physical wallet as essential amid growing use of Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards
More than half of adults in Britain now leave their physical wallets at home when they go out, as use of card and digital payments continues to grow, data from the cash access and ATM network Link shows.
Only 48% of Britons consider carrying a physical wallet to be an essential part of their day-to-day routine, Link said, although roughly four in five still own a wallet or purse. The charity and payments network highlighted the growing popularity and acceptance of digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, and of contactless card payments, which have made it increasingly common to leave the house without cash or a traditional wallet.
Link’s figures show that among adults aged 18 to 44—generations commonly labelled as Generation Z and Millennials—payments through digital wallets have become the go-to option. For older adults, the debit card remains the preferred method of payment, but Link said there is not a notable generation gap in the overall shift away from cash.
Card transactions overtook cash payments in Britain in 2018, a milestone that Link and other industry bodies have previously cited as the start of a prolonged decline in everyday cash use. The network, which operates Britain’s ATM infrastructure and compiles regular data on cash access and consumer payments, said the latest survey reflects that long-term trend.
Despite the move toward digital forms of payment, Link cautioned that leaving home without any backup payment method or some physical money could create problems. A payments expert at Link warned consumers that relying solely on one technology or payment method can be risky if a merchant’s contactless terminal fails, a mobile device runs out of battery, or in situations where cash is still required.
Link’s research aligns with broader industry observations that retailers, transport operators and service providers have increased acceptance of contactless and mobile payments, encouraging consumers to adopt them for convenience and speed. The network’s findings do not suggest that cash has disappeared: a significant share of people still own wallets and cash remains accepted for many transactions, particularly in smaller shops and for certain services.
The shift in payment habits has implications for cash access and ATM provision, areas in which Link plays a central role. As fewer transactions use cash, demand for cash access at some locations falls, prompting ongoing discussions among retailers, banks and regulators about sustaining nationwide cash infrastructure while accommodating consumer preference for digital payments.
Industry groups and consumer advocates have previously urged a balanced approach: supporting the rollout and security of digital payments while ensuring vulnerable consumers and those in cash-dependent communities retain access to cash services. Link’s latest data adds to the evidence that digital and contactless payments are now mainstream for a broad range of age groups, but it also underlines the organisation’s advice that consumers consider carrying alternative payment options when they go out.
