Around the world, cash remains a significant consumer payment instrument, but as the 21st century shopping experience evolves, consumers who use cash exclusively or almost exclusively will be disadvantaged as goods and services increasingly move online.

In many countries, in response to the prevalence of cash for payments as well as to the low percentage of consumers with checking bank accounts and consumers' concerns over the security of transmitting sensitive personal and financial details online, firms have stepped up to provide cash based alternative online and mobile payment services. These services enable consumers to pay with cash for purchases they can initiate online or with their mobile phones.

"New technologies and services that reflect evolving consumer trends in mobile phone and Internet use have emerged in markets that still have a cash culture. Today, these firms provide services that accept cash at agents, kiosks, or full-service bank branches to enable consumers to pay for goods and services without ever having to share sensitive personal and financial information or even have a bank account. The latter is particularly significant in developing countries, where demand deposit account (DDA) ownership rarely exceeds 50%," comments Tristan Hugo-Webb, Associate Director for the International Advisory Service at Mercator Advisory Group and the primary author of the report.

The report is 25 pages long and contains 8 exhibits.

Companies mentioned in this report include:Amazon, cashU, QIWI, Qoo10, and Ukash

Members of Mercator Advisory Group's International Advisory Service have access to this report as well as the upcoming research for the year ahead, presentations, analyst access and other membership benefits.