Credit Cards are Payment Method of Choice

British shoppers are now getting their credit cards out more often to pay for smaller purchases, a new survey claims.

A third of people now whip out their credit card to pay for their everyday items which do not break the bank. One in eight shoppers also say that they have no qualms to put goods costing less than £3 on their card, according to research from Marks and Spencer Money.

The survey also found that around 80 per cent of Brits now prefer to put payments on their credit or debit cards.

Over half say that cards are more convenient than cash whilst 41 per cent also feels that cards are safer. Around a quarter also use them to build up loyalty points or take advantage of other benefits

In addition, 16 per cent of people prefer to pay on plastic to allow them to keep track of exactly where their money goes. One in ten said they spent cash too quickly on insignificant things.

David MacKay, M&S Money commercial, said: "Consumers are clearly more card-savvy today and are comfortable using plastic for small as well as large purchases."