Consumers move to cashless purchases

Chinese consumers are embracing cash-free lifestyles as an increasing number of people use digital mobile payment tools to order food, call taxis, buy clothing and pay utilities, a new report said.

The report, jointly released by French research firm Ipsos Group SA and the US public relations firm Ogilvy & Mather, showed that mobile payments tool are mostly popular among college students and young white-collar workers.

After interviewing more than 8,100 respondents, the report said more than 12 percent of college students said they don't bring cash with them when going out and 30 percent of interviewees aged between 23 to 29 only bring less than 100 yuan ($15).