New research shows an increasing number of retailers in Europe, the USA and across the world are installing machines that validate, count and securely store banknotes at the point of sale.
Growing demand among smaller businesses, including bakeries and pharmacies
There were nearly 470,000 point-of-sale cash automation devices installed at retail and hospitality operators globally at the end of 2024, according to Global Retail Cash Automation, the latest research from Datos Insights. Over 80% of these devices also recycle the deposited banknotes, reducing the need for cash management interventions.
The research found a booming global picture, with installations outside of the mature Japanese market, up by 39% since 2022. The largest markets for point-of-sale cash automation devices outside Japan are mainly in Europe, including Spain and the UK, with significant numbers also in the USA.
More than half of cash automation devices at the point of sale are in the grocery sector. Many thousands are customer-facing, deployed by small businesses including bakeries, pharmacies and butchers, where hygiene concerns are paramount. Improved security is also seen as a benefit of automating cash handling.
Security and labour shortages boost back-office cash automation market
Nearly 650,000 back-office devices were installed at the end of 2024 globally, representing 24% growth since the end of 2022. These machines can be acceptance-only (known as smart safes), or recyclers, and tend to have a larger footprint than point-of-sale devices. Use of these expanded in developing markets in Asia, Africa and the Americas, and saw solid growth in the USA.
Security is a key driver of back-office cash automation, particularly in Africa and the Americas, while in Asia, rising labour costs and shortages are important factors. 15% of back-office devices globally also recycle banknotes; these tend to be found at retailers with larger stores, such as Walmart and Target, where the quantity of cash accepted is greater.
Glory leads recycler market, while Sesami is largest smart safe supplier
Sesami is the largest supplier of smart safes globally as well as manufacturing machines provided to retailers by major cash management firms Brink’s, Loomis and Prosegur. Japan’s Glory has the largest share of recyclers, both back-office and point-of-sale. Other major suppliers of POS-based cash automation devices include Sweden’s StrongPoint, Spain’s Azkoyen and the UK’s Volumatic.
Strong incentives remain for further investment in automation
Cash automation is set to grow, as retail and hospitality firms look to reduce costs, increase efficiency and boost security. The number of these devices installed is forecast to reach 1.6 million over the next five years.
Alex Maple, who led the research, commented: “Cash usage remains strong across many parts of the world and even where it is declining there is appetite among retailers to reduce the costs of handling cash per transaction. Technology plays a vital role here, with investment in automation set to continue rising.”
Written by Alan Burt, Market Data & Forecasting, Datos Insights
Notes to editors
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