Grocery shopping is something that needs to be done regularly. That’s why, much like any other repetitive task, people are always looking for ways to make buying food and essential supplies a more convenient experience.
Thankfully, technology has been a boon to the world of commerce. The internet has been particularly helpful, which has made online shopping for groceries possible. Cashless payment solutions have also transformed grocery shopping in recent years. Where before, you had to count paper bills and coins to pay for purchases, now you only need your smartphone or a card to complete the transaction.
Why Shop for Groceries Using Cashless Payments?
There are many benefits to using cashless payment methods when buying groceries and other necessities. The list below includes only a few among many advantages of cashless grocery shopping:
Savings
Using cashless payments, particularly e-wallets, can help people save money while shopping for their essentials. This is because e-wallets like Maya offer cashback and similar rewards. There are even occasional promos that offer additional discounts, such as during sales, holidays, or other special events.
Cashless payments also ensure that you make the most out of every centavo you have in your account. Even if you only have Php .01 left in your account, you won’t have that “sayang” feeling because you can still use it in future transactions.
Hundreds of Partners Nationwide
Usually, cashless and contactless payments are associated with online shopping. However, again thanks to technology, there are many brick-and-mortar stores that now accept cashless payments. These include drugstores, fashion boutiques, gasoline stations, and, yes, various supermarkets and groceries.
What’s even better is that more and more supermarkets and groceries across the country are becoming merchant partners of cashless payment solutions. In fact, you can now find small family-run neighborhood stores offering payment options like e-wallets. In short, no matter where you are, you can purchase anything you might need the safe and easy way.
Speed
Sometimes, grocery shopping takes a lot of time not because you bought a lot of items but because you lined up too long at the cashier. With cashless payments, you can shorten the time you spent paying for your purchases. That’s because you’re always paying the exact amount. You can simply tap a card or scan a code and you’re good to go.
Cashless Ways to Pay
There are different cashless payment methods you can use at supermarkets across the country. Depending on the establishment, one or more methods may be available to you. Some of the most popular ones include the following:
Scan to Pay
If you want to go not just cashless but also contactless, you can use the Scan to Pay feature of your e-wallet. This function makes use of your smartphone’s camera to scan a QR code, which is linked to the establishment’s account. When you scan the QR code, the grocery or supermarket’s banking details are automatically captured.
Once the QR code is scanned, all that’s left for you to do is input the amount you need to pay. Once you confirm the transfer of the payment, then the transaction is completed. This process takes seconds and requires only your smartphone with the e-wallet app installed.
Pay With Physical Cards
One of the most popular cashless ways to pay in the Philippines is through physical cards such as debit or credit cards. In fact, long before e-wallets became popular, card-based payments are already widespread. Of course, this method is only available to shoppers with their own bank accounts or credit cards.
However, there’s also the Maya physical card that can be linked to your Maya account. This card is like a debit or credit card, which you can tap or swipe on a terminal or a Maya One device. What’s great about the Maya card is that you can also use it abroad to withdraw money from an ATM or pay for purchases.
There’s also a Maya virtual card, which is ideal for secure online shopping, online bills payment, and more. This is a great option if you prefer to order your groceries online for safety and convenience. (Do note that this is separate from your Maya physical card.)
Online Payments
Before, online shopping was synonymous to lifestyle shopping. Nowadays, due to an increasing demand for convenience, you can also shop for your groceries online. Using e-wallets like Maya is one of the many ways you can pay for your purchases from these online supermarkets and groceries.
Of course, when you’re shopping online, it’s best to choose trusted names in the business. Check the legitimacy of the website and the security measures they have in place. This way, you can be sure that you’re safe from online scams. Many online platforms promise secure payment methods, but it doesn’t hurt to be extra vigilant.
At its core, grocery shopping is an easy enough task. Some even find it therapeutic. Something being easy to do doesn’t mean that it can’t be made easier, however. Thanks to technology like e-wallets and the internet, grocery shopping is now more convenient than ever.
