This discussion exercise is based around the results of two Canadian market research surveys from mid-2012, conducted on behalf of PayPal, which highlights the willingness of their population to shift to a cashless society. This change in the global environment will have significant implications for the retailing sector. Your task here is to review the survey results and identify how retailers and financial and other intermediaries will be able to benefit from this emerging opportunity.

APA standards of writing are required.

The Situation

The two surveys conducted on behalf of PayPal Canada found that:

• 71% of respondents were comfortable with not using cash to make a purchase
  • This particular finding represents an increase of 27% over the same survey from 2011
• 25% of respondents currently go more than a week without using cash
• However, 43% of smartphone users dont trust that their mobile phone applications and hardware will keep their personal details safe and secure, and
• 80% are concerned about financial privacy and sharing personal or credit card details when making mobile purchases and transactions

As you can see, while there are significant attitudinal shifts in the markets willingness to embrace and adopt non-cash methods of payments, it is countered by substantial concerns, mainly in the area of security and privacy.

PayPal, the sponsor of the research study, is very positive about the results and believe that a cashless future will be a reality in Canada. According to Darrell MacMullin, managing director, PayPal Canada, The growth were seeing in Canadians eagerness to go cashless is significant. In Canada, 2012 marks the year that weve moved well beyond the tipping point towards embracing a digital future. Canadians understand that a digital wallet can be a safer and smarter way to pay and get paid.

As at mid-2012, more than four million Canadians already have PayPal accounts. PayPal has the functionality of paying or receiving money via a bank account or a credit card that can be monitored through a computer, smartphone or another Internet-connected device. Worldwide, there are more than 110 million active accounts in 190 markets.

Answer the following questions:

1. Which of the broad aspects of the macro-environment are affected by the changes identified above?

2. Given the results, how long do you think it will it take before Canada essentially becomes a cashless society?

3. As the survey was commissioned by PayPal; does this affect the way that we should interpret the results? Why?

4. As markets shift to a cashless society, how will this change in the environment affect the retail sector? Are online retailers more likely to benefit? Why?

5. Would financial intermediaries and mobile phone companies be supportive of this environmental change? If so, what broad steps should they take to support these changes?

6. Are there any industries, or types of firms, that will be negatively affected by the future environment?