The cashless society

The cashless society, where clumsy and expensive‐to‐handle coins and notes are replaced by efficient electronic payments initiated by various types of plastic cards is a tantalizing prospect for the twenty‐first century. Some of the interested parties stand to gain more than others if the cashless society becomes a reality. Outlines the rationale of those who are keen to promote the cashless society and the implications for marketeers charged with winning consumer acceptance for payment by plastic card. Commencing with a European‐wide view of the European plastic card market, focuses on recent developments within the UK, one of Europe′s leading countries in the use of plastic cards as a means of payment. The plastic card payment product is analysed under the three headings of pay later, pay now and pay before and a view is offered as to the future prospects for each type of plastic card in contributing to the development of the cashless society.