As a record number of citizens choose to shop online rather than on the High Street, almost 50 per cent of people still expect a paper receipt when items are ordered over the phone or Internet. This is despite a rise in the number of people saying no to a paper receipt for environmental reasons, according to research carried out by Zebra Technologies. 

The research also found that while 43 per cent of respondents keep receipts for a year, a massive 36 per cent keep receipts for seven years in line with business requirements. While a third of people duplicate and keep both. 

“It seems that despite increased confidence shopping online and signing electronically for deliveries, people feel vulnerable without a piece of paper in their hands as ‘proof’,” commented Richard Murphy, business development manager at Zebra Technologies. “Without a receipt we can’t return items to the shop or confirm we own the item - but this receipt can just as easily be held electronically. We need a change of mindset to move away from filing away, ignoring and wasting reams of paper.”

“Moving from paper to email when it comes to finance is a big psychological leap,” continued Murphy. “Customers need to have those fears allayed and businesses need to offer a range of options for receipts.” 

With 48 per cent of respondents expecting a paper receipt and 82 per cent saying they would not be happy if they didn’t receive one, Murphy believes businesses really need to offer a choice: “In the future it’s going to be possible for businesses to offer receipts on email and text message – but it seems paper receipts will remain first choice for consumers,” concluded Murphy.

About Zebra Technologies

Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA) delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions for business improvement and security applications in 100 countries around the world. More than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Zebra®-brand printers. A broad range of applications benefit from Zebra-brand thermal bar code, "smart" label and receipt printers, and plastic card printers, resulting in enhanced security, increased productivity, improved quality, lower costs, and better customer service.
 
The company has sold more than six million printers, including RFID and wireless mobile solutions, as well as ZebraDesigner™ software, ZebraLink™ connectivity solutions, Genuine Zebra printing supplies and ZebraCare™ services. 

Zebra Technologies Europe Ltd, headquartered in the United Kingdom, provides product and specialty label sales and support across EMEA.