PAYMENT SYSTEMS


Payment systems in vending:


balancing cash and cashless for 2026 T


he vending and automated retail industry is undeniably moving toward cashless payments.


Contactless cards and mobile wallets dominate consumer preferences, driven by convenience and hygiene. Yet, cash and coin remain a critical part of the payment mix, especially in locations where connectivity is limited, or consumer habits favour physical currency. Andrew Dapkunas, product manager, Crane Convenience – CPI, contends that for operators, maintaining reliable cash acceptance alongside digital options is essential for maximising reach and revenue.


WHY CASH RETAINS ITS FOOTHOLD Despite declining overall cash usage, millions of vending transactions still occur with coins and bills every day. Cash is inclusive - it serves consumers without cards or mobile wallets and remains a trusted option in certain demographics and geographies. Crane Payment Innovations continues to see strong demand for high-performance bill validators and coin recyclers, ensuring operators can serve every customer while reducing downtime from jams and misreads.


CURRENCY CHANGES AHEAD The redesigned U.S. $10 bill, expected in


Technology company accelerates global deployment of vending technology ecosystem


SECO has announced the upcoming expansion of its vending payment offering, with the KarL4 contactless payment terminal now available in Italy and scheduled to launch in the United States in early 2026. This milestone marks a new phase in


SECO’s global roadmap for vending, strengthening the company’s role as a partner for operators seeking secure, connected, and data-driven solutions. SECO’s vending solution combines secure payment, smart connectivity, and AI-driven management to help operators reduce costs and optimise performance. The KarL4 terminal enables contactless transactions — including credit cards and mobile payments — with integrated LTE and offline support for maximum uptime. Already established in Germany — where KarL4 also supports reliable age verification via debit and credit cards for the sale of age-restricted products — this technology is now expanding to new markets.


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To further broaden its offering, SECO is developing a QR Code payment gateway that will connect with multiple alternative payment methods, allowing consumers to complete transactions directly from their digital wallets. This new feature is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2026. Complementing the payment ecosystem,


Clea Vend, SECO’s cloud-based telemetry and analytics platform, provides vending operators with real-time monitoring, sales analytics, and automatic alerts for machine failures. By


2026, introduces new security features. While its impact on vending will be modest, operators should prepare by upgrading recyclers to handle higher denominations. Similarly, coin changes, such as the removal of the penny and potential nickel redesign, require proactive planning. CPI is taking action through its modular solutions to make these transitions seamless, protecting operators from costly disruptions.


CONSUMER TRENDS AND OPERATOR STRATEGY Studies show cashless transactions drive higher spend per purchase, but cash remains a stabilising force for vending operators. The winning strategy is hybrid: embrace digital payments for growth while maintaining robust cash-handling capabilities for inclusivity and resilience.


OUTLOOK FOR 2026 Cashless adoption will continue to rise, but cash is far from obsolete. Operators who invest in flexible payment systems, combining advanced cash recyclers with secure digital solutions, will be best positioned to capture every sale. Crane Payment Innovations is taking a leading role in this evolution by delivering technology that keeps vending profitable, adaptable, and future-ready, Andrew says.


transforming operational data into actionable insights, Clea Vend helps reduce maintenance costs, prevent revenue losses, and improve fleet efficiency. Telemetry can be enabled through SECO’s payment terminals, the SECO Datalogger retrofit module, or standardized APIs, ensuring connectivity across both new and legacy machines. “Our goal is to make connected vending truly accessible for operators worldwide,” says Martin Duemling, senior product manager payment at SECO. “By combining secure payments with data-driven insights and flexible connectivity, we empower our customers to run smarter, more efficient, and more transparent operations.”


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