Cashless Transactions at the New Bakery: No More Coins or Bills Allowed
In a significant shift for the bakery industry, Steinecke, a popular bakery chain with around 500 branches across Northern and Eastern Germany, will no longer accept cash from customers starting July 1st. This decision reflects the growing preference for card payments, a trend that has become increasingly common in German bakeries.
The change was first implemented at the Leipzig branch, where customers can now pay using EC cards, Steinecke gift cards, and contactless payments. The success of this cashless system at the Leipzig branch may influence Steinecke's decision to extend this policy to other branches.
The move towards cashless payments is part of Steinecke's effort to keep up with modern trends and cater to customer preferences for digital payment methods. Businesses often switch to cashless payments to increase transaction speed, improve hygiene, reduce theft risk, and offer greater convenience. However, the exact reasons for Steinecke's decision remain unknown, as the bakery chain has not yet commented on whether it plans to implement this concept in its other branches.
The notice at the entrance of the Leipzig branch reads, "Bye-bye cash, hello card," signalling the bakery's commitment to this transition. During the COVID-19 pandemic, contactless payments became more prevalent in bakeries, and even after the pandemic, card payments remained widespread.
However, this change may not be met with universal enthusiasm. Older generations, who may be more accustomed to using cash, may find this shift challenging. To soften the transition, Steinecke is offering a 10% discount on purchases in-store at the Leipzig branch from July 1st to 7th.
This development marks a further step beyond most bakeries still accepting cash. In the past, card payments were not common in bakeries, but with the rise of digital payment methods, it is now becoming the norm, even for small amounts.
As Steinecke continues to adapt to the changing landscape, it is possible that other bakeries may follow suit, further reshaping the industry and the way we make everyday purchases.
Other branches of Steinecke may adopt the cashless payment system, following the successful implementation at the Leipzig branch. This could lead to a change in lifestyles, as customers might need to adjust their food-and-drink and home-and-garden shopping habits, as Steinecke's cashless policy extends beyond the bakery.
