Consumers scoured digital platforms for their basic necessities, according to the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation’s (RCBC) credit card division, which reported a spike in online transactions.

Due to the coronavirus 2019 (Covid19) pandemic, customers switched to online transactions rather than face-to-face transactions, according to a statement released by RCBC Bankard over the weekend.

Citing its latest data, the company noted that online transactions using credit cards grew by 58 percent, while swiped or face-to-face transactions dropped by 36 percent.

The data, however, excluded online purchases from travel, amusement, airlines, and hotels, which used to be the top online categories.

“The digital journey will continue, so we will continue to bring more customers to the digital platforms, as we ride on the waves of this consumer behavior,” Arnel Ong, RCBC Bankard president and chief executive officer, was quoted as saying.

Consumers spent more on food, with grocery spending increasing from 21 percent to 29 percent of total card spending. This year’s growth is expected to be even higher, according to RCBC Bankard.

Consumers spend more on service providers, digital products, utilities/internet/cable networks, and courier/shipping services/freight services in the previous year.

Consumers, on the other hand, spent less on entertainment and leisure, as well as food and dining, which decreased by 59 percent.

“Consumers are shifting towards essential spending through e-commerce transactions and less discretionary spend,” Ong added.

RCBC Bankard said its total cards-in-force stood at 917,729 as of March this year.