95% of UK Vending Machines Now Cashless
Cashless payment has become firmly embedded across the UK’s
vending and automated retail sector, with new figures from the 2025 AVA Census
& Market Report showing that mobile and digital transactions now dominate
consumer purchasing behaviour.
According to the latest census from the AVA – The Vending &
Automated Retail Association, cashless technology is now installed on 95%
of paid vending machines, underlining how rapidly the industry has transformed
its payment infrastructure in recent years. The report also reveals that mobile
phone payments now account for 62% of all cashless transactions, a dramatic
increase from just 8% in 2017.
The findings suggest that consumer expectations around
convenience and frictionless purchasing continue to reshape the unattended
retail market. Industry leaders say the widespread adoption of contactless and
mobile payments has helped support higher spending and improved customer
experience, particularly as operators diversify into new formats such as micro
markets and smart fridges.
“The picture that emerges is one of an industry continuing
to transform,” AVA Chief Executive David Llewellyn wrote in the report’s
introduction. He noted that cashless payment is now “firmly embedded as the
dominant method of transaction” across the sector.
The report highlights cashless technology as one of the key
drivers behind the industry’s broader digital evolution. Alongside growing use
of vending management systems and telemetry, operators are increasingly using
data-driven tools to improve machine performance, optimise product ranges and
streamline operations.
With cashless technology now installed on 95% of paid
vending machines, the industry’s focus is shifting from adoption to
optimisation. The question is no longer whether operators should accept
cashless payments, but how they can maximise the value that those payment
solutions deliver.
As cashless payments become the norm, operators are
increasingly looking beyond simple cash replacement. Modern payment systems can
provide valuable transaction data, support loyalty and promotional programmes,
enable age verification, simplify machine management and create more seamless
customer experiences. The growth of mobile wallet usage which now accounts for
62% of all cashless transactions also presents opportunities for operators to
engage consumers in new ways.
For many businesses, the next phase of cashless innovation
will be about selecting the right technology partners, improving transaction
performance and using payment data to drive operational and commercial
decisions. In an increasingly digital unattended retail environment, payments
are becoming more than a method of purchase; they are a gateway to richer
customer insights, better customer relationships and smarter retail operations.
For operators, the message is increasingly clear: while cash
remains relevant in certain environments, the future of unattended retail is
overwhelmingly digital. As mobile wallets become consumers’ preferred payment
method and smart retail formats continue to expand, cashless technology has
moved from a competitive advantage to an essential part of doing business.