That\u2019s the word from Patience Rolls, Executive Head: ATMs at, EasyPay Cash, part of Lesaka Technologies<\/a><\/strong>. \u201cATMs are a key part of the retail value proposition with cash continuing to play such a central role in South Africa\u2019s economy for consumers across all income groups.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cATMs form a vital component of many retailers\u2019 customer offering as they offer opportunities for retailers to earn rebates from each successful card withdrawal, and as a mechanism for managing and recycling cash received from customers,\u201d says Rolls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the South African Reserve Bank\u2019s Payments Study Report<\/strong><\/a>, nearly all consumers (98%) in its Diary of Consumer Payment Choice (DCPC) survey used cash to pay in a three-month period. At 55%, ATMs remain the dominant point to access cash, according to the study. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet, at the same time, many banks are downsizing<\/strong><\/a> their ATM networks, with the number of ATMs in South Africa falling from some 33,000 in 2019 to just under 29,000 in 2024. In this context, the role of independently operated ATMs at retail sites is growing in importance, especially in underserved remote and rural areas, says Rolls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCustomers prefer to withdraw cash at merchants rather than at standalone ATMs. They can shop or buy airtime at the same time and in a secure and convenient environment,\u201d she adds. \u201cRetailers with ATMs benefit from attracting more footfall, generating more in-store sales, and building higher levels of customer loyalty.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark Templemore-Walters, Operations Director at Cash Connect<\/strong><\/a>, part of the Lesaka\u2019s Connect Group, says that the rise of independent ATM operators such as EasyPay Cash<\/strong><\/a> has spurred innovation in South Africa\u2019s ATM market. Today, retailers can choose from a diverse set of ATM offerings, depending on their operating environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere are, for example, self-loading ATM options that reduce the manual burden of cash management for taverns and small convenience stores. Wholesalers or cash-and-carry businesses, meanwhile, could choose ATMs that allow them to handle larger volumes of cash efficiently and with better oversight,\u201d says Templemore-Walters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most important innovations is the ATM recycler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An ATM recycler helps retailers enhance security and improve cash management at the same time. It is an all-in-one offering that serves as a robust cash vault, recycler and cash dispenser. The EasyPay Cash ATM Recycler is built to the SABS Cat 4 standards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rolls says the benefits of such an ATM Recycler solution include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChoosing the right ATM offering for your store will not only improve convenience and in-store experience for the customer, it can also help retailers vastly improve operational efficiencies and in-store security. Automated cash management solutions like smart ATM recyclers and intelligent cash vaults give merchants visibility over their cash flows, streamline reconciliation processes, and improve financial planning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Boosting customer loyalty and footfall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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