Why Going Cashless Isn’t a Viable Option for Grocers (2024)

In an ultra-competitive landscape, grocers should know that going cashless is simply creating another obstacle in their customer experience, as consumers want a choice in how they pay.

What’s Trending Today

From independent locations to larger grocery store chains, competition extends beyond other brick-and-mortar locations and into nontraditional food retailers that include Amazon, convenience stores and even department stores. As such, traditional grocery stores must always look for ways to up their game.

As such, they’re installing interactive digital signage to allow greater interaction with shoppers, pushing coupons through their own apps, and using loyalty programs to gather data from shoppers and drive sales.

And while there’s a rise in online food shopping, a recent IDC Retail Insights survey indicates that online shopping isn’t on the radar for one-third of consumers. There’s something to be said about squeezing their own produce, sipping a fresh cup of coffee and getting a live cooking demonstration, with samples included.

Despite the growth in ecommerce, grocers that are taking a more customer-centric approach are successfully luring people into stores to shop the good, old-fashioned way: with a basket or a four-wheeled shopping cart.

Cash Remains a Popular Payment Method

Similarly, more and more grocers are accepting multiple forms of payment, including contactless methods – a particular concern during the COVID-19 outbreak. And while cash may not be the most popular way for people to pay for their groceries, some shoppers still prefer to use it. They find it the safest and easiest way to pay for groceries and by paying with cash, they might even indulge in impulse shopping. In fact, in a survey of 1,000 Americans on their preferred payment methods, GoBanking Rates found that more than 37% of respondents choose cash.

Without adequate technology, however, managing cash can be inefficient and time-consuming: Think counting multiple drawers several times a day, by hand. To cut down on the cost of using cash, some grocery stores have invested in technology such as count-by-weight (CBW) cash-counting devices.

A leading supermarket chain in Asia, for instance, purchased these machines to help improve efficiency; achieve a step change in process controls, access and transfer data; and increase accuracy of records and security in regard to cash handling. The CBW devices provide auditable records, allowing managers and cashiers to sign off on cash counts, which improves accountability and control without any complexity. An additional benefit is that it frees up store staff for more important, customer-facing tasks.

Give Consumers What They Want

According to Cardtronics’ Health of Cash survey, consumers who use digital payment methods also still use cash. What they want is choice. In terms of payment preference, cash ranked second, at 27%, behind debit cards, at 33%, but that’s still a lot of cash to handle.

Consumers like cash because it doesn’t leave a trail of their purchases, which can be tracked by advertisers and banks. And they deem it safer than using other payment methods that might be susceptible to a data breach, such as credit cards or online payments.

Besides, many cities and states, including San Francisco, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Connecticut, have banned retail establishments from going cashless because it excludes certain groups of consumers.

Choice will continue to dominate the marketplace, and grocers will want to be able to accommodate the choices and preferences of their customers. By accepting any form of payment that consumers choose to use, grocers of all sizes can improve the customer experience and keep them coming back into the store.

Why Going Cashless Isn’t a Viable Option for Grocers (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Errol Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 5876

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Errol Quitzon

Birthday: 1993-04-02

Address: 70604 Haley Lane, Port Weldonside, TN 99233-0942

Phone: +9665282866296

Job: Product Retail Agent

Hobby: Computer programming, Horseback riding, Hooping, Dance, Ice skating, Backpacking, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.