Consumers want convenient shopping journeys, particularly checkout and payment. Although they want easy access to employees when they need assistance, today's omnichannel and digital-first consumers are happy to handle payments on their own. In fact, 84% of consumers in the U.S. prefer self-service kiosks, with 66% choosing self-service over staffed checkouts when both are available. The unattended payments trend spans generations. Nearly half of all baby boomers, 84% of Gen Z, and 76% of millennials regularly use the technology.
With consumers expecting self-service options, merchants must make self-service solutions a part of their strategies. Unattended payment devices can deliver loyalty-building experiences and increased customer satisfaction across a variety of industries:
Today, more than 96% of grocery stores have self-checkout lanes, and the latest research from Capital One Shopping reports that 75.5% of self-service kiosks are installed in retail stores. Whether a grocery, big box store, or specialty retail store, unattended payments are providing customers the convenience and autonomy to skip the line and complete purchases quickly and easily.
According to a PYMNTS Intelligence report, 70% of restaurant managers believe that self-service solutions with unattended payments could potentially replace drive-thru operators at QSRs. Other restaurants are streamlining the payment process with self-service devices on tables to allow patrons to order and pay.
Revenue Impact: Research shows that orders placed through self-service kiosks increase the average order size by 10% or more, helping restaurants optimize revenue potential.
Unattended payments are a vital component of micro markets, which are becoming more common in hotel lobbies, company break rooms, and common spaces in universities. Powered through self-service technology, micro markets provide patrons with healthy food, snacks, beverages, and more by leveraging smart vending machines or kiosks that enable transactions with unattended payments.
Unattended payment technology is enabling public transportation to increase operational efficiency while providing riders with a more flexible and convenient payment experience. By equipping ticket vending kiosks with technology capable of accepting contactless payments, transit authorities give commuters, tourists, and other riders the ease of using mobile wallets or contactless cards to pay for fares with just a wave or tap.
Tailor-made for public transit scenarios—coming with a standard vehicle-mounted bracket that ensures stable installation on buses, even amid frequent stops and vibrations. PCI-compliant, contactless-enabled, and built for unattended reliability, it seamlessly integrates into transit payment systems to deliver smooth fare collection for riders on the go.
As electric vehicles (EVs) increase in popularity, drivers are looking for convenient and reliable EV charging stations. Unattended payment devices as part of the payment experience solutions offer a dependable and familiar payment experience that gets drivers quickly back on the road.
Drivers will also value the convenience of using unattended payments in parking lots and garages. These payment solutions streamline processes, reduce traffic congestion, free up staff for other tasks, and control operating costs.
Takes this convenience further with seamless SoftPOS compatibility—enabling flexible, app-based payment acceptance that integrates effortlessly with parking management systems. Rugged, PCI-compliant, and designed for unattended use, it delivers reliable transactions whether deployed at entry/exit gates or self-service kiosks.
For businesses new to self-checkout, it's worth noting that accepting unattended payments is different from traditional card-present transactions. Unattended payment devices and kiosks must be durable, secure, and resistant to vandalism. Additionally, the software that powers them must meet Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards for unattended devices, adding a layer of compliance to already complex requirements.
The best solutions will also seamlessly integrate with a merchant's point of sale or management system and be supported by comprehensive payment services from the technology provider. Ciontek's CM30 stands out with multiple versions tailored to diverse unattended scenarios—from public transit ticketing to vending machines. Rugged, tamper-proof, and PCI PTS 6.x certified, it integrates easily with most platforms and comes with Ciontek's dedicated technical and development support.
By choosing the right technology partner, merchants can effectively meet the rising demand for unattended payment solutions across various industries. Ciontek offers a range of devices, services, and expertise to help businesses optimize operational efficiency and the customer experience.