While France is accelerating its transition to digital practices, one gesture remains deeply ingrained in daily life:
taking out your bank card when it comes time to pay.
Indeed, a new study conducted by the fintech company myPOS shows that, despite the growth of mobile payments, the French retain a strong attachment to cards, which are perceived as simple, reliable and reassuring…
The bank card, the number one reflex at the checkout
According to data shared by myPOS and revealed by Viuz , bank cards are by far the most popular payment method in France. A full 72% of users choose them as their first option. Among them, 40% still prefer traditional payment with their card PIN, while 32% use contactless payments , which have now become perfectly integrated into everyday life.
Whether physical or digital in a wallet, the bank card has become the most natural gesture at the checkout . This preference reflects what many perceive as an effective compromise: a technology adopted without disrupting a familiar ritual.
Mobile technology is progressing, driven by a need for security.
Mobile payment is becoming increasingly popular, even though it still lags far behind cards. It is the preferred method for 13% of consumers . This trend is driven by the rise of digital usage and, above all, by security, which has become a central concern for the French.
According to the study, 59% of respondents consider this criterion a priority. Digital payment tools, including myPOS terminals, offer instant, traceable, and secure transactions, thus fueling this shift in behavior.
Moreover, only 24% of French people still systematically carry cash , a significant decline that confirms the shift towards solutions perceived as safer…
Between regions and generations, France is moving forward at several speeds…
The report also highlights revealing regional disparities… In Brittany, 30% of residents still carry cash, while Île-de-France and Hauts-de-France show a more advanced level of dematerialization , with only 21% of residents still carrying cash.
The Centre-Val-de-Loire region stands out with a marked preference for contactless payment at 33%, while the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region remains faithful to the traditional card, preferred by 49% of its population.
These differences don’t stop at the act of payment: they extend to the receipt, which 90% of French people always request . And even though 43% prefer the paper format , Millennials and Gen Z are already beginning a shift towards email.
For Nicolas Lubeth , Country Manager France at myPOS, this overview shows that the French are embracing digital technology, but retaining deeply ingrained habits. For retailers, the challenge now is to offer all solutions , from cards to mobile devices, in order to provide simplicity, security, and flexibility at every checkout.