NEARLY all Islanders now pay by card – but three-quarters believe businesses should still be legally required to accept cash, according to new government survey data released amid continuing political and public concern about cashless trading.
The latest Jersey Opinions & Lifestyle Survey for 2025, which is based on a representative sample of 1,400 households, revealed that payment using a debit or credit card was the most popular among local adults, with 96% choosing it as their preferred method of payment.
The survey measured the number of adults who had paid for goods and services and their payment method within the time frame of the past month.
The key payment methods noted on the report include debit or credit card, mobile or internet banking, physical cash and cheque.
The report revealed that over two-thirds of adults had paid for something using cash within the specified timeframe.
The findings noted a “clear age trend” across three of the key payment methods.
86% of respondents aged 16 to 34 had used mobile or internet banking within the last month, compared to 63% of participants aged 65 and over.
61% of 16- to 34-year-old respondents had paid using cash, which was less than the 74% of participants aged 65 and over who used cash as their preferred method.
Buying food and drink at a supermarket, store, or other shops was the most common use for those using cash payment as their preferred method (63%).
This was followed by leaving a tip (59%) and eating or drinking at cafes, restaurants, pubs or bars (50%).
Those aged between 35 and 44 were the least likely to carry cash, according to the survey, while those aged 65 and over were the most likely.
Survey participants were also asked: “To what extent do you agree that businesses should be required to accept cash?”
Just over three-quarters of respondents (77%) agreed that businesses should be required to accept cash.
The findings come amid continued campaigning for local businesses to be legally required to accept cash. Among the strongest voices in favour were supporters of the Jersey CI Cash is King Facebook group founded by islander Nina Morgan in August 2023.
The group has since gained over 4.2k followers, and Ms Morgan was invited to be a witness at the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel’s Acceptance of Cash Payment Review in September 2024.
The Scrutiny review garnered 136 written submissions from individuals, businesses and organisations – as well as 2,696 responses to an anonymous five-minute survey.
Around a dozen recommendations were included in the panel’s subsequent report, including that Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel “should, by 30 April 2025, issue interim guidance to businesses indicating that they should accept a cash payment where it is the customer’s only way of paying”.
But Deputy Morel later said in response that the government will not require businesses to accept a cash payment when it is the customer’s only means of payment, but would instead continue to monitor the availability and use of physical currency in Jersey.
