Cashless vending has rapidly become the dominant model in unattended retail. More than 85% of all self-service transactions are now cashless, and Naturals2Go operators are already performing at 80% cashless usage, putting them ahead of the industry curve. Naturals2Go operators are guided to choose the right solution for each location – with options to ensure the right fit is always available.
This shift isn’t speculation — it’s backed by independent research, operator data, and clear revenue outcomes. Cashless vending is not simply a trend. It’s a more profitable, more efficient operating model.
The Industry Has Moved — And Consumers Love It
Independent studies confirm that consumers adapt quickly and prefer environments where digital payments replace cash. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found consumers “transition to cashless stores feasibly and manageably,” and a multi-study meta-analysis showed consistent improvements in merchant revenue and customer satisfaction when cashless systems are introduced.
Cashless is more convenient, more modern, and more aligned with how people already pay everywhere else.
Cashless Naturally Drives Higher Revenue
Cashless systems make purchasing easier — and that ease increases average spend:
- Tap-and-go purchases remove friction and encourage add-on items.
- Customers aren’t constrained by the bills in their pockets.
- Digital payments feel less “tangible,” encouraging multi-item buys.
Research shows 20–35% increased spend per vend in cashless environments.
Card Fees vs. Reality: The Numbers Tell the Story
Some operators fear processing fees, but industry data shows:
- 86–90% of self-service payments are already cashless.
- Operators see up to 35% revenue growth after card readers are added.
- Transaction counts do not decline after going cashless.
Studies confirm that increased spend, smoother operations, and reduced service frequency offset any fees.
Operational Efficiency: Less Work, More Output
Removing cash handling reduces route time dramatically:
- No coin jams
- No bill validator issues
- No cash collection or manual counting
Operators save 10–20 minutes per machine per visit, which equals:
- 3–6 hours weekly saved on a 20-machine route
- 16–30 hours saved on a 100-machine route
This reclaimed labor boosts capacity, reduces costs, and accelerates growth.
Simpler Hardware = Fewer Breakdowns
Without coin mechs and bill validators, machines become more reliable and less expensive to maintain:
- Fewer moving parts
- Less technician training required
- $400–$700 lower hardware cost
Better Uptime, Better Trust
Cashless machines eliminate some of the biggest causes of downtime:
- No jams
- No miscounts
- No counterfeit risk
More uptime improves user trust — especially in hospitals, offices, manufacturing facilities, and schools.
Built-In Tax + Compliance Advantage
Cashless vending automatically handles:
- Sales tax calculation
- VMS reconciliation
- Reporting and auditing
This increases accuracy, transparency, and professional credibility with clients.
Security Strength: No Cash, No Theft
Removing physical cash eliminates one of the largest points of loss:
- No break-ins targeting cash
- No internal reconciliation discrepancies
- Stronger risk profile for insurance
Benefits of Cash – Other Side of the Coin
- Access for Everyone: A small number of people still prefer cash (under 6% and continues to decrease each year)
- Lesser Fees: Cashless has lower cost of business (but cashless transactions typically see 20–35% higher sales and lower service costs)
- Connectivity Confidence: Cash doesn’t require connectively. (today’s Internet networks deliver over 99% uptime; most systems can keep transactions queued if the signal temporarily drops)
Cashless Is the Smarter Model Now
Cashless vending delivers:
- Higher revenue
- Lower costs
- Stronger security
- Better customer experience
- Cleaner operations
- More scalable growth
Most consumers and the industry is already there — and operators who align with this shift see the rewards. Naturals2Go offers flexible equipment options – including choice of cashless or adding cash options – to ensure every solution is the right fit for any location.
Learn more about our program, our equipment, and our solutions at naturals2go.com/start-a-vending-business
