While mobile payment options such as Google Wallet or Apple Pay are coming to light more often, Canadians seem to be less likely to pay using their smartphone, according to a recent study by global research company GfK.
The survey was conducted on consumers in 17 countries. While Canadians like to be at the top of the game technology-wise, the survey found them among the least interested to use mobile payments. This could be due to security fears.
According to GfK, only two per cent of transactions in Canada are made using a mobile device. In the study, approximately 21 per cent of the 1,000 Canadians surveyed had made a mobile payment within the last six months. This is compared to 24 per cent of western European consumers, 33 per cent of American consumers and 39 per cent of Latin American consumers.
Chinese consumers are the most likely to use mobile payments of those polled, with 83 per cent of respondents using a mobile platform to complete a transaction recently, while 62 of Korean consumers agreed.
It is unknown when Apple Pay will come to Canada, although its introduction could cause hesitant Canadians to be more interested in mobile payments. Currently, Apple Pay can be used at Whole Foods and a number of other stores using newer version iPhones and iPads.
