3 payment trends vending operators can’t afford to ignore in 2025
The vending industry is in the middle of a payment transformation — one that’s reshaping how, where, and how much people spend at unattended machines. While much of the data comes from the U.S., these shifts tend to echo globally within a few years. For forward-looking operators, understanding where the industry is heading now is key to staying profitable and competitive later.
Here are three payment trends that will define vending in 2025 and what they mean for your business.
1. Cashless and mobile payments are no longer optional
In 2024, 71% of all vending machine transactions in the U.S. were cashless, a staggering 17% jump from the year before. Contactless cards now account for over half of these, while mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay drive roughly 75% of all cashless vending sales.
Why does it matter? Because cashless customers spend more. The average cashless vending transaction now ranges from $2.11 to $2.24, compared to $1.36 to $1.78 for cash. That’s a 55% increase in spending per transaction, a critical margin boost in an industry where most products cost just a few dollars.
And it’s not just a U.S. phenomenon. In Europe, cashless preference has reached 55% of consumers, with countries like Finland already down to just 10% cash usage. In urban centers across Asia, particularly China, Japan, and South Korea, mobile payments dominate daily life, often through QR codes rather than cards.
What this means for you: If your machines don’t accept mobile payments, you’re missing money.
2. QR codes, biometrics, and wearables are entering the mainstream
The next wave of payment innovation is already here and it’s designed for speed, personalization, and digital-native customers.
- QR code payments are growing faster than any other segment. Japan processed over 9.3 billion QR transactions in 2023, and India expects 481 billion by 2029.
- Biometric payments (face, fingerprint) are expected to grow from $8.6 billion in 2023 to nearly $35 billion by 2032. Consumers trust them: 86% say they feel secure using biometrics.
- Wearables (smartwatches, fitness trackers) are quickly catching up, with the market set to reach $180 billion by 2030, led by Asia-Pacific.
These technologies may sound futuristic, but they’re already being trialed in vending. PayRange, for example, now offers Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) capabilities through vending machines using QR-based checkout. And Coca-Cola has integrated Apple Pay in over 40,000 machines globally, aiming for 100,000.
In short: customers are ready — and operators need to catch up.
3. Rising processing fees and regulation demand smarter strategies
While cashless transactions bring higher spending, they also bring higher costs. Card processing fees typically range from 2% to 6% per sale — and can hit 5.9%+ on transactions under $5. For small-ticket operators, this adds up fast.
Operators are finding ways to turn this cost center into a profit center. A simple 10-cent surcharge per card transaction can generate $100+ in net profit per machine annually, covering fees and boosting margins.
Meanwhile, regulators are adapting too. In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority is reviewing contactless limits, which may lead to unlimited tap payments without PIN — potentially streamlining vending transactions even further.
Different countries are at different stages, but the direction is clear: cashless is becoming frictionless, and operators who plan for it now will benefit first.
The takeaway for vending operators
The vending payment landscape is evolving at record speed. Global consumer behavior is shifting toward mobile-first, cashless experiences and with it, the financial structure of vending operations is changing too.
To stay ahead:
- Equip machines with NFC, QR, and mobile wallet support
- Explore cashless surcharge strategies to offset fees
- Watch emerging technologies like biometrics and wearables
- Prepare for regional differences in adoption, but align toward global standards
Aurency’s A250 terminal is already designed for this future, with full support for QR, NFC, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and built-in API flexibility for next-gen integrations.
