Featured Report
2025 Micropayment Trends Report
The Cantaloupe Micropayment Trends Report 2025 is your ultimate guide to the future of self-service retail. Discover the latest insights on cashless transactions, which now dominate micro markets and Smart Stores. Learn about the explosive growth in micro market locations and sales — even with inflation’s continued impact on consumer behavior and the potential for continued growth. Don’t miss out—download the report to stay ahead of the curve.
Most recent
If your vending machines still rely on cash, you’re leaving money on the table. Today’s consumers expect speed, ease, and the ability to pay with a tap. Find out how this small shift in payment preference is driving big results for operators — and why going contactless might be the smartest move you make this year.
Amusement and gaming machines present operators with a large business growth opportunity – and now, you can enter or expand in this space easier than ever. How?
We’ve partnered with Candymachines.com to provide industry-leading game machines with pre-installed Engage Pulse card readers. It’s quite literally plug and play. Watch the recording of the webinar now.
As players demand faster, frictionless gameplay, cashless systems are taking over. Tap-to-play card readers are driving higher spend, fewer breakdowns, and smarter insights for operators. From boosted revenue to real-time data and plug-and-play setups, this article breaks down why cashless is no longer optional — it’s the future of play.
Self-service retail is entering a new era—faster, smarter, and more profitable for operators who stay ahead of the curve. From the rapid rise of micro markets and the success of Smart Stores, to the cashless transformation of arcade machines and new growth opportunities in hospitality and entertainment, this is your guide to what’s next.
This walkthrough shows you the Seed Driver app, available for Android and Apple devices.
Looking to boost profits and meet changing consumer tastes in your micro markets? Find out how a few high-margin, better-for-you beverage swaps can transform your cooler — and your bottom line — without overhauling your entire inventory.
Consumers today want more than just quick snacks—they want smarter, healthier choices that support wellness goals and taste great. In this episode of Retail on the Go, we’re joined by the team from Olipop to talk about how better-for-you beverages and snacks are reshaping vending and micro market strategies. Cathy Horgan (VP, Food Service & On Premise) and Cassie Hardick (National Account Manager) share what they’re seeing in the field—from generational buying trends and the shift away from sugary sodas to the rising demand for gut-health-friendly, functional products. They also dig into how operators can start small, test smarter, and keep product mixes fresh with seasonal offerings and sleek new formats. Whether you’re ready to try healthier SKUs or just starting to explore your options, this episode is packed with insights for modern self-service operators.
In this episode of Retail On The Go, host Russ Russell and producer Anders Peterson talk with Kyle, founder of All Else Fit Club in Methuen, Massachusetts — a high-tech, 24/7 gym redefining member experience. Kyle shares:
• Why he chose to launch with a Cantaloupe Smart Store on day one
• How self-service technology supports low-staff, round-the-clock operations
• The impact of a seamless, grab-and-go retail setup on member satisfaction and revenue
• His advice for other fitness operators thinking about automated retail
If you’re a gym owner, operator, or entrepreneur thinking about bringing smart vending or unattended retail into your space — this episode’s for you.
📍 Learn more about All Else Fit Club: allelsefitclub.com
Want to know how top gyms are turning retail into a revenue stream? Discover why more fitness centers are rethinking vending—and what they’re offering instead to keep members coming back.
A wave of next-gen, self-service retail is transforming how and where consumers shop — and it’s not just hype. Dive into the real stories of operators breaking sales records, delighting customers, and redefining convenience through the rise of Smart Stores.
In this episode of Retail on the Go, we’re diving into the data that’s shaping the future of self-service retail. Join host Russ and producer Anders as they unpack the key insights from Cantaloupe’s newly released 2025 Micropayment Trends Report with special guests Elyssa Steiner (Chief Marketing Officer) and Sonya Lehner (Director of Marketing, Brand & Communications).
Topics we cover:
—Why cashless is the new baseline in retail
—Surpassing $1B in micro market sales in 2024
—The rise of Smart Stores and $4.25 average ticket sizes
—How inflation is shifting consumer habits
—Best practices for operators to boost revenue
Micro markets are booming—and it’s no accident. From tap-to-pay tech to new high-traffic locations, discover what’s fueling their growth and why now’s the time to get in. A quick preview of insights from Cantaloupe’s Micropayment Trends Report.
Articles
Why Vending Machines Need Contactless Payments
If your vending machines still rely on cash, you’re leaving money on the table. Today’s consumers expect speed, ease, and the ability to pay with a tap. Find out how this small shift in payment preference is driving big results for operators — and why going contactless might be the smartest move you make this year.
Business Management, Card Readers, Payments, Vending
As players demand faster, frictionless gameplay, cashless systems are taking over. Tap-to-play card readers are driving higher spend, fewer breakdowns, and smarter insights for operators. From boosted revenue to real-time data and plug-and-play setups, this article breaks down why cashless is no longer optional — it’s the future of play.
Self-service retail is entering a new era—faster, smarter, and more profitable for operators who stay ahead of the curve. From the rapid rise of micro markets and the success of Smart Stores, to the cashless transformation of arcade machines and new growth opportunities in hospitality and entertainment, this is your guide to what’s next.
Looking to boost profits and meet changing consumer tastes in your micro markets? Find out how a few high-margin, better-for-you beverage swaps can transform your cooler — and your bottom line — without overhauling your entire inventory.
Case Studies
Canteen of Northern California’s work with a local college is a testament to the transformative power of cutting-edge retail solutions. The outcomes are impressive: substantial sales growth, more efficient inventory control, and heightened customer satisfaction. By embracing innovative technology, traditional vending operations were revolutionized, yielding exceptional results.
The well established vending operator placed their first Smart Store in a car dealership in Sugarland, TX. The results were explosive sales growth, minimized shrink, and excitement around the flexible, modern solution.
Maple City Dispensing improved its warehouse with Seed Pick Easy, cutting picking time in half, increasing inventory accuracy, and reducing delivery routes. This made their operations faster and more efficient, saving both time and money.
Podcasts
Consumers today want more than just quick snacks—they want smarter, healthier choices that support wellness goals and taste great. In this episode of Retail on the Go, we’re joined by the team from Olipop to talk about how better-for-you beverages and snacks are reshaping vending and micro market strategies. Cathy Horgan (VP, Food Service & On Premise) and Cassie Hardick (National Account Manager) share what they’re seeing in the field—from generational buying trends and the shift away from sugary sodas to the rising demand for gut-health-friendly, functional products. They also dig into how operators can start small, test smarter, and keep product mixes fresh with seasonal offerings and sleek new formats. Whether you’re ready to try healthier SKUs or just starting to explore your options, this episode is packed with insights for modern self-service operators.
In this episode of Retail On The Go, host Russ Russell and producer Anders Peterson talk with Kyle, founder of All Else Fit Club in Methuen, Massachusetts — a high-tech, 24/7 gym redefining member experience. Kyle shares:
• Why he chose to launch with a Cantaloupe Smart Store on day one
• How self-service technology supports low-staff, round-the-clock operations
• The impact of a seamless, grab-and-go retail setup on member satisfaction and revenue
• His advice for other fitness operators thinking about automated retail
If you’re a gym owner, operator, or entrepreneur thinking about bringing smart vending or unattended retail into your space — this episode’s for you.
📍 Learn more about All Else Fit Club: allelsefitclub.com
In this episode of Retail on the GO, we break down Cantaloupe’s lineup of self-service kiosks—Go Micro, Go MiniX, Go Plus100, and Go Max—and help you figure out which one fits your space, traffic, and business goals.
Whether you’re outfitting a break room, gym, apartment complex, or corporate office, matching the right kiosk to the right location can make all the difference in performance and ROI. We cover:
— A side-by-side comparison of Cantaloupe’s kiosk options
— Location-specific recommendations for each model
— Real-world examples of successful deployments
— Tips for maximizing convenience and ticket size in self-service retail
Reports
The Cantaloupe Micropayment Trends Report 2025 is your ultimate guide to the future of self-service retail. Discover the latest insights on cashless transactions, which now dominate micro markets and Smart Stores. Learn about the explosive growth in micro market locations and sales — even with inflation’s continued impact on consumer behavior and the potential for continued growth. Don’t miss out—download the report to stay ahead of the curve.
Micropayments — any transaction less than $10 — have been following that same trend. In this report, we’re excited to share our analysis of these micropayment trends in self-service retail (including food & beverage vending machines and micro markets) and gaming & amusement machines. We also predict how they’ll evolve into the future.
The way we all pay has been shifting. First it was cash to card, and now swipe to tap. Learn how this shift in consumer payments has affected sales trends at food & beverage vending machines and amusement & gaming machines.
Videos and Webinars
Amusement and gaming machines present operators with a large business growth opportunity – and now, you can enter or expand in this space easier than ever. How?
We’ve partnered with Candymachines.com to provide industry-leading game machines with pre-installed Engage Pulse card readers. It’s quite literally plug and play. Watch the recording of the webinar now.
Didn’t get a chance to visit Cantaloupe at NAMA this year? Don’t worry, in this video Elyssa Steiner, Chief Marketing Officer and Tony Danna, VP Small Business Client Sales lead you through all the exciting new innovations we showcased at our booth, like the Go Micro, Smart Aisle, and Smart Store.
Prepare for the next generation of retail with Cantaloupe’s groundbreaking Smart Stores! Watch now to learn how Smart Stores are tackling theft, elevating the customer journey, and opening up new revenue channels. Through the lens of real-world success stories, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the technology that is reshaping the retail landscape. Don’t let this chance slip by to lead the pack and embrace the future of retail.
