Consumers spent over $2 billion at vending machines in 2022 — almost 19% more than 2021.
This reflects the fact that in 2022, the world began to return to normal and people went back to their typical spending habits. And more consumer spending means vending operators can start thinking about growth again — instead of just staying afloat.
But the real question is: how are consumers paying at vending machines? And why is it important to know?
Staying in tune with consumer spending and payment trends can inform how you sell to your customers and can impact how much you can make. To that end, we pulled together a year’s worth of sales data into our 2023 Micropayment Trends Report to better understand consumer payment behavior at vending machines. This will help you as an operator see the future of the self-service industry and make more informed decisions for your operation.
Consumer spending trends
The way we pay for goods is constantly evolving. First, we shifted from cash to card. Now, we’re experiencing the shift from swipe to tap.
For vending machines, cashless payments take the cake. In 2022, an average of 67% of all sales at vending machines were cashless. That’s an increase of 11% from 2021. Consumers are also spending more when they go cashless. The average cashless purchase totaled $2.11, whereas cash purchases were only $1.36. That’s a big difference.
Digging further into those cashless sales numbers, we found that approximately 53% of the year’s cashless sales were made with contactless payment methods — tapping with either a credit/debit card or a mobile wallet like Apple or Google Pay.
What does this mean for operators?
Our data shows that consumers are continuing to drop cash in favor of cashless payment methods – both card and mobile. This means that operators need to offer a variety of payment options to meet the needs of their customers and maximize profits.
The data is clear. Consumers spend more when they go cashless — 43% more. Choosing the right technology partner to provide multiple payment options is important. With over 30 years in the industry, Cantaloupe is helping you keep up with consumer payment trends and prepare for the evolution of self-service commerce.
Want to learn more about our predictions for 2023 and beyond? Download and read the full 2023 Micropayment Trends Report to get the inside scoop!