Gen Z are selecting e-receipts, are paper ones being killed off?

More than three quarters of shoppers said they would switch to digital receipts after finding out how many trees are cut down to generate paper receipts, with the figure rising to 87 per cent among under 25s.

In comparison, only 61 per cent of over 66s said the same, while 74 per cent of those aged between 56 and 65 said they would favour a digital alternative, according to data from digital receipt platform Yocuda.

The firm claims 200,000 trees are cut down to supply paper receipts in the UK, with as many as 11.2billion receipts printed in the UK every year. 

Worldwide, 300billion receipts are printed each year, with 25million trees being cut down to facilitate this, ParcelHero said.

Relic of the past? Paper receipts could be on their way out as three quarters of shoppers say they’d choose a digital alternative

Ed Drax, chief executive of Yocuda, said: ‘Younger generations, having grown up in an era of climate consciousness, are setting the standard for what they expect from retailers. 

‘Their shopping habits are increasingly aligned with their values, and they want to see businesses they support taking actionable steps to reduce environmental harm.’

While many will be able to relate to the experience painstakingly spelling out an email address to a retail worker, 52 per cent of shoppers said that ‘convenience’ was their main motivation for choosing digital receipts, compared with 41 per cent who focused on environmental concerns.

Among younger generations, a majority said the environmental benefits were their main motivation for using e-receipts.

In fact, almost three quarters of shoppers would request a digital receipt when the choice was offered.

Digital receipts ensure that an important receipt won’t be misplaced or lost, meaning an end to having to search for the correct receipt when required for a return. 

No doubt this is welcome news to three quarters of people who admitted to having thrown away a receipt they meant to keep, with 66 per cent having lost a receipt they needed for a return.

Despite this, many of those favouring paper receipts still prefer to keep a physical record of their transactions. 

Some 43 per cent of people over 66 said they prefer paper receipts for this reason, compared to an average of 31 per cent.

There are also concerns that shoppers are opening themselves to promotional material, with a Which? Investigation in 2023 having found that e-receipts often came with marketing content and promotions attached.

While not favoured by all, as many as 96 per cent of shoppers still viewed digital receipts as a way to reduce their environmental impact, with 57 per cent responding that they would like to see more retailers offering e-receipt options.

Even so, despite many retailers have been adopting digital receipts, others have introduced receipt scanners to exit self-checkouts in order to prevent shoplifting. However, this gives shoppers no choice but to print a paper receipt.

Drax said: ‘The data makes it clear – UK shoppers are ready to ditch paper receipts in favour of a digital solution that’s better for both the environment and their own convenience. 

‘What was once seen as a small, mundane part of the shopping experience – receiving a paper receipt – is now being scrutinised for its environmental impact and inefficiency.’