Canadian spending and purchase habits have not yet returned to pre-pandemic preferences
44 per cent say COVID-19 has changed their payments preferences to digital and contactless long-term; 61 per cent are spending less; 42 per cent are uncomfortable handling cash.
Payments Canada has released new data on Canadian payment trends since the onset of COVID-19, showing that Canadians continue to spend less overall, and are maintaining a digital-first mindset with continued preference for contactless payment methods. The study provides a moment-in-time perspective on Canadian spending behaviours compared to pre-COVID-19, and acts as a follow-up to the May 2020 study conducted during week five of the pandemic.
