Cantaloupe Resources

Find helpful articles, guides, and reports to help you grow your self-service retail business.

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

A young man pays for goods at a Smart Store in a fitness center.
Article
Why More Gyms Are Adding Micro Markets and Smart Stores

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.

Micro Market, Self-Service Trends, Smart Stores
Article
The Smart Store Surge: How Operators Are Driving 5x Revenue

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.

Self-Service Trends, Smart Stores
Podcast
Inside the 2025 Micropayment Trends Report: Cashless Retail, Smart Stores, and What’s Next

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

Business Management​, Card Readers, Micro Market, Payments, Self-Service Trends, Smart Stores, Vending
A Starter kiosk bundle featuring a 2' wide merchandiser with snacks and a cooler full of drinks.
Article
Why Micro Markets Are Booming in a Tap-to-Pay World: What We Learned from the Micropayment Trends Report

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.

Micro Market, Self-Service Trends
Tony Danna presents the Smart Store at NAMA.
Video
NAMA 2025: Riding the Wave of Innovation

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.

Business Management​, Micro Market, Seed Pro, Smart Stores
Podcast
How Do You Choose the Right Kiosk for Your Location?

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

Business Management​, Micro Market, Self-Service Trends
A young man scans a beverage at a Go Plus100 in a small micro market.
Article
How Do You Choose the Right Kiosk for Your Location?

Choosing the right micro market kiosk can boost ROI and customer satisfaction. Learn how to match kiosk models to real-world environments—from gyms and offices to car dealerships and residential spaces.

Business Management​, Micro Market
Podcast
The Smart Store Advantage Efficiency, Experience, and the Future of Vending

In this episode of Retail on the GO, we’re joined by Shaun Dayton from Canteen of Northern California to explore how his team brought their Smart Stores to life—and what it means for the future of unattended retail. We dig into the why, how, and what’s next of the Smart Store model, including:

— What made Canteen NorCal take the leap into Smart Stores
— The challenges they faced and how they overcame them
— The impact on operations, efficiency, and customer experience
— Tips for other operators looking to future-proof their business

If you’re a vending or micro market operator exploring your next move, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay ahead of the curve. 🎧 Tune in now and hear how smart retail is becoming the new standard.

Business Management​, Self-Service Trends, Smart Stores
College students gathered around a high top table in front of a fully stocked micro market.
Article
What You Need to Know About Self-Service Retail for 2025

The world of self-service retail is on the brink of a major transformation as we head into 2025. Discover the potential for business growth through cutting-edge technologies and the expansion into new markets. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to stay ahead in this dynamic industry.

Business Management​, Micro Market, Payments, Self-Service Trends, Vending
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.

Business Management​, Card Readers, Micro Market, Payments, Self-Service Trends, Smart Stores, Vending
Podcast
Fresh, Local, and Automated: How the Donut Trap is Pioneering Donut Vending

Fresh Donuts in a Vending Machine? The Donut Trap Story | Retail on the GO Podcast

In this episode of Retail on the GO, we chat with Bradley from The Donut Trap, a St. Paul-based business turning heads with their fresh, handmade donuts—delivered through a vending machine.

We dive into:

— How The Donut Trap got started
— The challenges of keeping fresh inventory in an unattended format
— Lessons learned in scaling a unique food concept
— Tips for anyone looking to blend local goods with self-service tech

This episode is packed with insights for vending operators, food entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about what it takes to keep fresh food fresh in automated retail.

Self-Service Trends, Vending
Podcast
Innovations in Nightlife Vending with Pod Plug

Welcome back to Retail on the GO! In this episode, we’re joined by Ethan, the founder of Pod Plug, a company that’s transforming vending operations with cutting-edge technology.

We dive into:
Ethan’s journey in launching Pod Plug
The biggest challenges in bringing new vending tech to market
How automation and innovation are shaping the future of unattended retail
Tips for operators looking to improve efficiency and profitability

If you’re in the vending or micro market industry—or just love hearing about new tech shaking up retail—this episode is for you!

Business Management​, Card Readers, Vending

Podcasts

Podcast
How Do You Choose the Right Kiosk for Your Location?

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

Business Management​, Micro Market, Self-Service Trends
Podcast
The Smart Store Advantage Efficiency, Experience, and the Future of Vending

In this episode of Retail on the GO, we’re joined by Shaun Dayton from Canteen of Northern California to explore how his team brought their Smart Stores to life—and what it means for the future of unattended retail. We dig into the why, how, and what’s next of the Smart Store model, including:

— What made Canteen NorCal take the leap into Smart Stores
— The challenges they faced and how they overcame them
— The impact on operations, efficiency, and customer experience
— Tips for other operators looking to future-proof their business

If you’re a vending or micro market operator exploring your next move, this episode is packed with insights to help you stay ahead of the curve. 🎧 Tune in now and hear how smart retail is becoming the new standard.

Business Management​, Self-Service Trends, Smart Stores
Podcast
Fresh, Local, and Automated: How the Donut Trap is Pioneering Donut Vending

Fresh Donuts in a Vending Machine? The Donut Trap Story | Retail on the GO Podcast

In this episode of Retail on the GO, we chat with Bradley from The Donut Trap, a St. Paul-based business turning heads with their fresh, handmade donuts—delivered through a vending machine.

We dive into:

— How The Donut Trap got started
— The challenges of keeping fresh inventory in an unattended format
— Lessons learned in scaling a unique food concept
— Tips for anyone looking to blend local goods with self-service tech

This episode is packed with insights for vending operators, food entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about what it takes to keep fresh food fresh in automated retail.

Self-Service Trends, Vending

Videos and Webinars

Tony Danna presents the Smart Store at NAMA.
Video
NAMA 2025: Riding the Wave of Innovation

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.

Business Management​, Micro Market, Seed Pro, Smart Stores
Video
How Smart Are Smart Stores? An Overview of Cantaloupe Smart Stores

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.

Self-Service Trends, Smart Stores, Vending
Video
Payments at Cantaloupe: 3 Minor Tweaks That Bring Major Benefits

Learn how to make small changes that can have a big impact on your business. In this webinar, we’ll discuss Exact Authorization, a new setting that reduces consumer confusion and increases revenue by authorizing the exact amount of each purchase. We’ll also cover the benefits of our Cash Flow Advantage program, which offers daily deposits and increased revenue opportunities. Don’t miss this opportunity to optimize your operations and simplify your business.

Business Management​, Payments

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