AMSTERDAM: Dutch consumers bought more goods using direct debit cards than cash in 2015, according to new figures from the Dutch central bank.
In total, 49.5% of purchases in shops, restaurants and petrol stations were made in cash, and credit cards were used in 0.5% of cases, the bank said. It is the first time direct debit cards have outstripped cash. In money terms, consumers spent €93bn via direct debit card last year, compared with €40bn in cash payments.
The Netherland has an increasing number of stores which don’t accept cash, such as the Marqt upmarket food retail group.
