{"id":8239,"date":"2026-01-21T09:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T05:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/economy\/oman-consumers-low-cash-usage\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T14:30:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T10:30:24","slug":"oman-consumers-low-cash-usage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/news\/economy\/oman-consumers-low-cash-usage\/","title":{"rendered":"Shift to Digital Payments in Oman: What Only 19% Cash Usage Means for Your Business Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitv3sog-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes 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.15s}\r\n.hitv3sogbtn:hover{filter:brightness(1.15);transform:scale(1.04)}\r\n.hitv3sogbr{font-size:9px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.18);text-align:center;margin-top:5px;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Compact horizontal: 380\u2013599px (like 320\u00d7100) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (min-width:380px) and (max-width:599px){\r\n  .hitv3soga{padding:12px 22px;gap:12px;min-height:100px}\r\n  .hitv3sogh{font-size:16px}\r\n  .hitv3sogs{display:none}\r\n  .hitv3sogbtn{padding:7px 16px;font-size:11px}\r\n}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Mobile\/card: < 380px (like 300\u00d7250) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (max-width:379px){\r\n  .hitv3soga{flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;min-height:260px;padding:22px 22px;gap:10px}\r\n  .hitv3sogc{align-items:center;text-align:center}\r\n  .hitv3sogh{font-size:22px;white-space:normal}\r\n  .hitv3sogs{font-size:11px;white-space:normal}\r\n  .hitv3sogbl{display:flex;align-self:center;text-align:left}\r\n  .hitv3sogbtn{width:100%;justify-content:center;padding:12px 20px}\r\n}\r\n\/* \u2500\u2500 Wide: >= 600px (leaderboard style) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n@container (min-width:600px){\r\n  .hitv3soga{min-height:90px}\r\n}\r\n<\/style><!-- HiT Land Banner \u2014 Container Query Responsive -->\r\n<div class=\"hitv3sogw\">\r\n<a class=\"hitv3soga\" href=\"https:\/\/hit.land\/services\/web-app-development\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-fadein 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0s;\">\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogg1\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-glow 3s ease-in-out infinite;\"><\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogg2\"><\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"hitv3soggl\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-shimmer 3s ease-in-out infinite;\"><\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogc\">\r\n    \r\n    <div style=\"display:inline-flex;align-self:flex-start;align-items:center;gap:6px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitv3sog-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OMAN OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogh\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Websites For <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Omani Businesses.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogs\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Empower your brand with custom digital solutions designed for high conversion and market dominance.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbl\"><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Responsive designs built for growth<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitv3sogbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Fast loading with smart automation<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitv3sogct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitv3sogbtn\" style=\"animation:hitv3sog-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Build Your Free Website <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitv3sogbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Muscat \u2013 Payment habits across Oman are evolving rapidly as more consumers adopt faster and more secure digital payment methods. According to Visa\u2019s third edition of the <strong>\u2018Where Cash Hides\u2019<\/strong> report, 64% of Omani consumers now primarily use cards or mobile devices for their payments, marking a significant 15% increase from last year. This trend highlights a clear shift away from cash.<\/p>\n<p>The preference for digital payments is also expanding in categories traditionally dominated by cash. Only 19% of Omani consumers reported using cash for daily purchases, a notable decline from 28% the previous year. This downward trend is evident in key sectors such as petrol stations, local markets, and grocery stores, each witnessing a 10% drop in cash usage.<\/p>\n<p>For routine expenses like petrol, groceries, and public transportation, debit cards have become the preferred payment method. However, cash remains prevalent for peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions, with 69% of consumers still using cash to pay tips. Cash is also commonly used for other P2P payments (35%), property rent (9%), and international money transfers via exchange houses (8%).<\/p>\n<p>Nasser Bdeir, Visa\u2019s Country Manager for Oman, commented, \u201cWe are observing a clear transformation in how people choose to pay in their daily lives, with cash gradually being replaced by card-based payments. This change reflects growing consumer confidence in digital payment methods and evolving expectations for quick, convenient, and secure transactions. When digital payment solutions meet these needs, they naturally become the preferred choice.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Visa\u2019s research underscores that Omani consumers increasingly prefer digital payments for their convenience, enhanced security, and rewards. Debit and credit cards offer greater safety by eliminating the risks associated with carrying physical cash and provide seamless online and in-store transaction capabilities. They also offer instant transaction records, helping consumers better manage their finances. Mobile payments further enhance security through tokenization, which protects sensitive card information by substituting it with unique digital identifiers, preventing the exposure of actual card numbers.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to convenience and security, credit cards provide added value through rewards programs, cashback offers, and travel or lifestyle benefits\u2014features that consumers expect whether spending locally or abroad.<\/p>\n<p><style>\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-fadein{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(14px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-slideup{from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(20px)}to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-pulse{0%,100%{box-shadow:0 0 14px #dc262688}50%{box-shadow:0 0 32px #dc2626,0 0 60px #dc262655}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-shimmer{0%,100%{opacity:0.3;transform:scaleX(0.4)}50%{opacity:1;transform:scaleX(1)}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-glow{0%,100%{opacity:0.6}50%{opacity:1}}\r\n@keyframes hitl8gak-badge{from{opacity:0;transform:scale(0.8)}to{opacity:1;transform:scale(1)}}\r\n<\/style><style>\r\n.hitl8gakw{container-type:inline-size;width:100%;max-width:970px;margin:0 auto;box-sizing:border-box}\r\n.hitl8gaka{display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;text-decoration:none;color:#fff;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,system-ui,sans-serif;position:relative;overflow:hidden;cursor:pointer;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#111118 0%,#080808 100%);border:1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border-radius:14px;gap:20px;padding:20px 40px;transition:border-color .2s}\r\n.hitl8gaka:hover{border-color:#dc262688}\r\n.hitl8gakg1{position:absolute;inset:0;background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 0%,rgba(220,38,38,0.35),transparent 65%);pointer-events:none;z-index:0}\r\n.hitl8gakg2{position:absolute;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;height:45%;background:radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 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solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);backdrop-filter:blur(8px);-webkit-backdrop-filter:blur(8px);border-radius:20px;padding:3px 10px 3px 7px;margin-bottom:clamp(5px,0.6vw,9px);animation:hitl8gak-badge 0.5s ease both;\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size:clamp(8px,0.9vw,10px);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.07em;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);text-transform:uppercase;white-space:nowrap;\">EXCLUSIVE OFFER<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakh\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.15s;\">Your Website <span style=\"color:#dc2626;\">Should Sell.<\/span><\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gaks\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-slideup 0.7s ease both;animation-delay:0.3s;\">Custom-built websites with smart automation & AI-powered features.<\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbl\"><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>SEO-optimized & lightning fast<\/span><\/div><div class=\"hitl8gakbi\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;width:5px;height:5px;border-radius:50%;background:#dc2626;flex-shrink:0;margin-right:7px;\"><\/span><span>Smart features built for your business<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <div class=\"hitl8gakct\">\r\n    <button class=\"hitl8gakbtn\" style=\"animation:hitl8gak-pulse 2.5s ease-in-out infinite;animation-delay:1s;\">Get Free Consultation <span style=\"opacity:.9;\">\u2192<\/span><\/button>\r\n    <div class=\"hitl8gakbr\">hit.land<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman&#8217;s Market<\/p>\n<p>The rapid shift towards digital payments, with 64% of Omani consumers moving away from cash, signals <strong>a transformative opportunity for businesses<\/strong> to adopt and integrate fast, secure payment technologies to meet evolving consumer preferences. <strong>Smart investors and entrepreneurs should capitalize on the growing demand for seamless, convenient, and reward-driven digital payment solutions<\/strong>, while also recognizing the residual cash use in P2P and rent payments as niches for targeted fintech innovation. Embracing this trend is crucial to staying competitive and relevant in Oman&#8217;s increasingly cash-light economy.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Visa\u2019s report reveals that 64% of Omani consumers mostly use cards or mobile devices for payments, a 15% rise from last year. Cash use for everyday purchases dropped to 19%. Debit cards dominate spending on petrol, groceries, and transport, with cash mainly used for tips and peer payments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":8240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[482],"tags":[3505,1594,3506],"class_list":["post-8239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","tag-cashless-society","tag-digital-payments","tag-oman-consumers"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3265205.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8239"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8241,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8239\/revisions\/8241"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omanet.om\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}