BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – A recent Lightspeed Research study suggests that more consumers are reaching for their debit card as the preferred method of payment when purchasing groceries.

According to the global online market research firm, about 54 percent of survey respondents say they purchase groceries with their debit card or a debit/credit card combination. Nearly 20 percent of respondents say they prefer cash, followed 14 percent who prefer to use a major credit card. About 11 percent say they prefer to write a check.

Among the sexes, the poll found that nearly 29 percent of females prefer to use a debit/credit card combination, compared to nearly 25 percent of males. Meanwhile, about 23 percent of males prefer to use cash to purchase groceries, compared to about 18 percent of females.

The survey found that consumers who are under the age 44 prefer to use their debit/credit card combination to purchase groceries, while seniors aged 65 and over like to use a major credit card.

More information about the survey is available through the Lightspeed Research Web site.