kiosk europe

kiosk europe

Kiosk Europe KMA

Kiosk Europe launched on February 1, so there is not much “furniture” on our site.  Self-service kiosk and digital signage companies who have significant offices in Europe.

We do want to blame 🙂 our original sponsor (Sitekiosk) back in 2014 that is responsible for our twenty-two websites including kioskindustry.org and industrygroup.org  — and yes we have https://kioskasia.org for Asian friends.

KMA has always had a strong international membership, but it is time to clarify European options. You can visit Amsterdam, but it is tough to visit Denver.

 

 

European Self-Service Companies :

Other Companies in Europe

  • M4B in Poland
  • Evoke Kiosks Creative in UK
  • Prestop in Netherlands
  • Lazenby Group UK
  • General Touch UK
  • CountR in Germany
  • Acante in UK
  • POWER in CZ
  • 10 Squared in UK
  • Metric in UK (Parking)
  • Sensis (disbanded)
  • Cammax in UK
  • All Right Now in UK
  • Elephant Kiosks (disbanded)
  • NovaGroup (for sale now)

Self-Service Technology in Europe

Self-service technology (SST) is rapidly transforming the retail landscape across Europe, offering customers higher level of convenience and efficiency in their shopping experiences. However, the adoption of SST varies significantly among European countries, with some embracing it more readily than others.

Current State of SST in Europe

The United Kingdom leads the way in SST adoption, with the highest number of self-checkout systems in various formats1. France follows as the second-largest market, while Italy is experiencing the most substantial growth in SST implementation1. Other countries, such as Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany, are catching up, with demand for self-service increasing significantly in recent years.

Eastern European countries such as Poland, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic are emerging as progressive markets. These countries often integrate the most modern self-checkout solutions immediately. This trend is particularly evident in larger supermarkets, where self-service checkout is becoming more widely used.

Factors Influencing SST Adoption

Several factors contribute to the varying rates of SST adoption across Europe:
Cultural preferences: In some countries, customers prioritize speedy transactions, while others value personal interaction with cashiers4.

Demographic factors: Younger populations in big cities are more likely to use self-service technologies4.
Technological infrastructure: Countries with more advanced technological development tend to adopt SST more readily.

Retailer strategies: Major retailers like Edeka, Rewe Group, and Kaufland in Germany have been instrumental in introducing self-service checkouts.

Challenges and Concerns

Despite the growing trend, some challenges persist:

Theft concerns: A study in the UK found that losses incurred through SST systems were higher than traditional checkouts.

Customer acceptance: In countries like France, many customers still prefer traditional checkouts.

Technical issues: Retailers are working to make the customer journey more seamless and address technical challenges.

Future Outlook

The future of SST in Europe looks promising:

Expansion beyond supermarkets: Non-food sectors, such as DIY stores and retail drugstores, are increasingly considering SST implementation3.

Mobile technologies: Retailers are exploring mobile app technologies for scanning and payment, enhancing convenience for customers.

Customization: Providers are becoming more flexible in adapting SST to specific retailer and customer needs.

As consumer demand for convenience and efficiency grows, self-service technologies will likely become increasingly prevalent throughout European countries. Retailers will need to continue investing in innovative ways to enhance the shopping experience, balancing the benefits of SST with the value of human interaction in customer service.

What About Cash in Europe?

The landscape of payment methods in Europe has been shifting significantly towards cashless options in recent years, with cash transactions declining in favor of card and mobile payments. Here’s an overview of the current trends:

Decline in Cash Usage

Cash transactions have been steadily decreasing across Europe:

  • In 2022, cash was used in 59% of point-of-sale (POS) transactions in the euro area, down from 79% in 2016 and 72% in 2019.
  • For the first time in 2022, the share of cash payments by value fell below that of card payments. Cash accounted for 42% of transactions, compared to 46% for cards.
  • Some countries have seen more dramatic declines. For instance, in Italy, cash transactions dropped from 86% in 2016 to 69.2% in 2022.

Rise of Card and Mobile Payments

As cash usage declines, card and mobile payments are gaining ground:

  • Card payments increased to 34% of POS transactions in 2022, up from 19% in 2016.
  • Contactless card payments significantly increased, accounting for 62% of all card payments in 2022, up from 41% in 2019.
  • While still a small portion, mobile payments increased from less than 1% of POS transactions in 2019 to 3% in 2022.

Regional Variations

Payment preferences vary across European countries:

  • In Finland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium, card payments are now the most frequently used method at POS.
  • Southern European countries like Greece, Spain, Cyprus, and Portugal have seen the most significant declines in cash use.
  • Some countries still prefer cash, with Malta (77%), Slovenia (73%), and Austria (70%) having the highest share of cash transactions in 2022.

Consumer Preferences

There’s a growing preference for cashless options among European consumers:

  • 55% of euro area consumers preferred cards and other cashless payments when paying in shops, while 22% preferred cash.
  • Contactless payments are becoming increasingly popular. In 2022, over 60% of card payment transactions at POS were contactless.

Future Outlook

The trend towards cashless payments is expected to continue:

  • Digital wallets and mobile payments are gaining traction, with the number of cashless payment users predicted to exceed 700 million by 2023.
  • Self-service and unattended retail sectors are increasingly adopting cashless payment solutions to meet consumer demand and reduce operational costs.

While cash remains an important payment method, especially for small transactions and in certain countries, the overall trend in Europe points towards a continued increase in card and mobile payments at the expense of cash transactions.

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Competition is a good thing — Craig Keefner

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