13 September 2006
The UK payments association Apacs has commented on the decision by Boots to end customers' ability to pay by cheque in 46 of its stores in the south of England.
Some of the reasons for the Boots decision include the decline of the use of cheques for high street shopping as many consumers turn to chip and PIN while only five per cent of retail spending is now done by cheque.
Sandra Quinn, Apacs spokeswoman, commented on the high street chemist's decision.
She said: "I think what it shows is that people on the high street are not using cheques - and I think there is a difference between high street and other use. On the high street you have got very easy alternatives - you've got cash and you've got credit or debit cards.
"Ten years ago there would have been lots of shops that wouldn't have accepted debit cards; that situation is completely different now.
"Since chip and PIN, people have felt more secure with card payments and it has perhaps heightened those areas where people don't feel so secure."
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