TOWARD CASHLESS PAYMENTS? THE BOOST OF COVID-19 IN THE ITALIAN CONTEXT

This article aims to present empirical research to analyse whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected consumer payment habits in Italy, which is a nation traditionally more inclined to use cash transactions. The survey was conducted through an interview with 836 citizens from November 2021 to February 2022 and revealed a significant increase in digital payments due to the fear of contagion. Using the chi-square test of independence, we can assess that consumers preferred cashless transactions to reduce the risk of infection and that more financially educated people prefer digital payments, reducing financial risk. Related to these findings, our research also analysed whether the pandemic in Italy has also produced a radical transformation in the social and economic spheres. Based on this, further research may focus on the impact that the pandemic has had on other aspects of consumer behaviour, such as savings and investment decisions.