A customer checks out with his Ma Dasao Card using a Point of Sale (POS) machine at the Dagu Road Market, Wednesday. Photo: Tang Zhao

By Tang Zhao

The Shanghai Jing'an District Commission of Commerce announced that consumers with the Ma Dasao (Auntie Ma) Card, a transportation card-like smart card, can pay for foodstuffs at Point of Sale (POS) machines in seven food markets in Jing'an district, according to the Xinmin Evening News.

"Both shoppers and vendors can now enjoy the benefits of this convenient and cashless payment method," a staff member surnamed Lu with the management office of the Dagu Road Market, Jing'an district, told the Global Times.

He added that, in the Dagu Road Market, over 400 cards have been issued to customers since the launch of the card on February 5. "The number of cardholders is growing steadily."

Ren Qiong, vice president of Jiehuida Network Technology Company, provider of the Ma Dasao Card in Shanghai, told the Global Times that by the end of April, nine food-based markets and one supermarket in the city will accept payment via the card.

"We expect that shoppers in every standardized food market in the city will be able to pay with our card," Ren told the Global Times.

Some other shoppers are not applying for the newly-issued card because of security concerns. Like the transportation card, the Ma Dasao Card does not require real-name registration, and it is not password encrypted.

However, other shoppers simply do not want to break their shopping habits. "I do not mind paying in cash. I have been doing so for years," A shopper in her 50s surnamed Wang, who was purchasing pork at the Dagu Road Market, told the Global Times, adding that she did not want to get a card.