These days, it seems there are few establishments where consumers can’t pay with plastic. Yet while credit and debit cards are increasingly popular, the volume and value of cash in circulation is on the rise as well. In today’s retail environment, cash remains a popular form of payment, and consumers expect to be able to use cash in transactions — particularly at kiosks.
This is not surprising, given the benefits of cash. Both kiosk users and deployers appreciate the ease and cost of cash transactions: low cost for the deployer, free for the consumer and typically fast and hassle free.
Users and deployers also appreciate the offline nature of cash. Unlike credit or debit cards, electronic check or Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions, cash transactions are settled immediately. Cash is also anonymous, exchangeable without leaving a “link” between transactions. It also has a high rate of acceptability.
For the consumer or merchant concerned about security and safety, cash presents a very low fraud risk.
Despite the growing popularity of alternative modes of payment, cash remains key to retail and should be included in any payment-automation plan. Consumers expect that this traditional payment option will be available, and a certain segment of the population will always prefer cash. To reap the full benefit of automation, be sure that cash is in the mix.
Patrick Avery, editor of Self-Service World and Kiosk Marketplace
