Card and contactless payments now account for the vast majority of UK consumer transactions. If your business is still cash-only, you're not just missing out on convenience — you're actively losing customers every day.
The State of Cash in the UK
UK Finance data consistently shows that card payments make up over 80% of retail transactions in the UK. Contactless payments alone account for more than half of all face-to-face transactions. In London and other major cities, the figure is even higher.
The shift isn't gradual anymore — it's complete. Most consumers under 40 regularly leave the house without cash. If your business can't accept their card, they'll go to the business that can.
What Cash-Only Businesses Lose
- Lost impulse purchases — Customers who didn't plan to spend but would if they could pay by card
- Higher-value transactions — People spend more when paying by card
- Repeat customers — A customer who can't pay their way won't come back
- Credibility — Cash-only signals to customers that a business is informal or behind the times
Research shows that businesses that add card payments typically see revenue increase by 15–30% in the first year — not because they charge more, but because they stop turning away customers who only carry cards.
Do I Need a Card Machine or Can I Use Something Else?
For most businesses with a physical presence — a shop, a salon, a stall, a van — a card machine is the right tool. It lets customers pay instantly at the point of service without delays or friction.
Alternatives like payment links (sending a customer a link to pay online) work for some service businesses but create unnecessary steps for in-person transactions. A card machine keeps checkout fast, professional, and seamless.
The Cost Question: Can I Afford a Card Machine?
Through Payment Card Services, a DOJO card machine costs nothing to rent. There's no monthly fee. The hardware is free. You pay only a small percentage per transaction — meaning you only pay when you earn.
The practical question isn't whether you can afford a card machine. It's whether you can afford not to have one.
Which Businesses Need a Card Machine?
Almost every business with customer-facing transactions benefits from accepting card payments:
- Restaurants, cafes, and bars
- Retail shops and market stalls
- Hair salons, barbershops, and beauty businesses
- Tradespeople and mobile service businesses
- Hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses
- Gyms, fitness studios, and personal trainers
- Vets, dentists, and healthcare providers
- Any business where customers come to you or you go to customers
How to Get Started
Getting a free DOJO card machine through Payment Card Services takes minutes. Fill in the enquiry form below and our UK-based team will be in touch to set everything up — no monthly rental, no hidden fees, and no long-term contract lock-in.
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Zero monthly rental. Next-day payouts. 24/7 UK support. It takes minutes to get started.
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