FOOD AND BEVERAGE CLOSE-UP-18 October 2006-Lightspeed Research: U.S. Consumers Use Debit Cards Most Frequently for Grocery Shopping(C)2006 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com

More people are reaching for their debit cards at the checkout counter when shopping for groceries, according

The online market research provider to the research industry said that its report indicates that 54.3 percent of U.S. respondents are paying for their groceries with a debit card or a debit/credit card combination. Second highest payment method was cash at 19.6 percent, followed by major credit card at 14 percent and check with 10.5 percent.

The poll collected responses from 106,784 U.S. panelists and, asked what method of payment one typically uses when grocery shopping.

Females favored using debit/credit card combination (28.6 percent) over males (24.6 percent), where as males tend to use cash more than females (23.4 percent vs. 18.3 percent).

Respondents who are under the age of 44 reach for the debit/credit card combination the most - 18-24 (30.9 percent), 25-34 (34.5 percent) and 35-44 (29.4 percent). Closely following with debit card for 25-34 (26.6 percent) and 35-44 (28.3 percent), where 18-24 second highest is cash (27.0 percent). Seniors age 65 and over use a major credit card as their typical payment method (26.9 percent) followed by check (19.3 percent).

The company noted that the poll is not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate.

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