Retail ATMs: 5 benefits to installing

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There are big benefits to installing retail ATMs. Check out five of them down below.

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May 16, 2025 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

Retail ATMs are a prime way to improve the customer experience in any store. While many customers visit bank branches for ATMs, retail locations, ranging from big box stores to gas stations and convenience stores, take up a significant portion of the ATM market.

However, there are questions about the usefulness of deploying retail ATMs due in large part to declining cash usage in the U.S. and abroad. In addition, there are also concerns over customers’ wiliness to pay fees to use an ATM.

Despite these concerns, there are still benefits to installing retail ATMs. Check out five of them down below.

Convenience

First and foremost, convenience plays a key role in why customers will want to use retail ATMs. For one, bank branches continue to decline in number, slipping to just above 68,000 at the end of 2024 compared to almost 70,000 in 2023, according to data from statista.

This can create a banking desert where it is harder for customers to access ATMs close by. Hence, retail ATMs play a key role in providing access to cash. When running errands, customers want to be able to get as much done as possible at one location.

When a study by Visa asked customers why they would want to use a nonbank ATM, 47% listed that it was closer than a bank ATM and 45% listed the ability to get cash while doing errands.

Surcharge free networks

One central flaw to using an out of network ATM is that they will typically charge fees. On top of that, customers may also be charged an out-of-network fee from a bank. This can make small withdrawals quite costly. In fact, data from Bankrates shows that the average ATM fee is $4.77.

However, this trend is changing with the growth of surcharge free ATM networks such as Allpoint.

This network, which is operated by NCR Atleos, includes more than 40,000 retail ATMs in the U.S. It partners with banks to offer surcharge-free access for its customers.

There are also other surcharge-free networks such as CO-OP ATMs with more than 30,000 ATMs and MoneyPass ATMs with more than 25,000 ATMs. With services such as these, customers can avoid a trip to the branch and fees at the same time.

Impulse purchases

Impulse purchasing is a prime reason to install an ATM. After withdrawing cash from an ATM, a customer will be more likely to use this cash for small-ticket items, such as candy, small soft drinks, toys or other items. One convenience store in New Yorksaw a 15% increase in small ticket item sales due to an ATM.

Retailers can strategically place these items close by to an ATM to encourage these types of impulse purchases. For example, in many Target stores, their discount items section is located a few feet away from an ATM.

Increased foot traffic through advanced retail ATMs

Foot traffic of course is another primary reason to install a retail ATM. After all, as mentioned above, customers will be more likely to visit a retail ATM versus a bank one due to convenience, and while they are there it is easy to upsell them with products.

Retailers can sweeten this deal by deploying ATMs with advanced features. For example, by offering cash and check deposits, bill pay, balance checking and transfer, retail ATMs can act as a full self-service banking platform.

This will in turn increase foot traffic for customers looking to get basic banking tasks done while they are out shopping. Another advanced tool to consider is bitcoin purchasing and selling. For example, LibertyX offers its bitcoin purchasing and selling services on Hyosung ATMs.

Cross-selling

ATMs can also be useful for cross-selling purposes, using its location, on-screen messaging and even digital signage.

As mentioned above, ATMs can be placed next to small-ticket items to encourage purchases, but it can also offer advertising messaging on its screen.

When not in use, the display can push out attract loop content that promote in-store specials, a store credit card or daily discounts. The ATM can act as an advertising tool when a customer is not using it.

Retailers can also adopt ATM digital signage, which would consist of a display mounted on top of the ATM. This display can have higher resolution content for promotions and even attract foot traffic to the ATM itself.

Conclusion

These are just a few reasons why retailers should consider deploying ATMs. The primary benefit is that it improves the customer experience by turning a store into a one-stop shop for goods, services, cash and self-service banking.

About Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper is the editor of ATM Marketplace and Food Truck Operator. He was previously the editor of Digital Signage Today. His background is in information technology, advertising, and writing.

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