Baker Steinecke in Berlin: Cashless sales cause a stir!

Baker Steinecke in Berlin: Cashless sales cause a stir!

A remarkable trend is taking hold in Berlin and many places in Germany: cash payments are dwindling more and more in many shops, including bakeries. A striking example of this development is the “Brotmeisterei Steinecke” bakery on Lützowplatz in Schöneberg, which has only accepted cashless payments since July 1, 2023. This decision was made based on experiences from a test phase that is also being carried out in other branches in Hanover, Leipzig and Braunschweig. So reported Berlin Live that customers can now pay with EC cards, credit cards, smartphones or a reloadable Steinecke credit card.

Customers react differently to the change. While some appreciate the practical advantages of cashless payments, the new regulations also attract criticism - especially from those who rely on cash or simply prefer it. To make the transition easier, the Leipzig branch even offered a “conversion discount” of 10% in the first few days. This shows that the bakery is trying to make the new payment style attractive to its customers, reports Free press.

Cashless payments are increasing

However, the development is not just a local peculiarity. According to a study by the Deutsche Bundesbank published in July 2023, the proportion of non-cash payment methods in Germany rose sharply. Cash is only used in 51% of payment transactions – an increase of 7 percentage points since the last survey. What is particularly noteworthy is that more and more people - a total of 81% of those surveyed - say that their transactions could also be made cashless. This underlines the trend towards digital payment methods, which seems unstoppable. Further information about this can be found on the website Bundesbank to read.

But where does this change in thinking come from? The reasons are probably varied. On the one hand, cashless payment methods offer enormous convenience and speed, which is often crucial in busy city life. On the other hand, some people see the loss of cash as a challenge to their privacy. The change is also happening in other bakeries: The Behrendt bakery in Vogtland has no longer accepted one and two cent coins for years and relies on round prices.

The test run and the future

It is clear that the change at Steinecke is just a test run that will last until at least four weeks after the start. After this phase, the bakery wants to evaluate the reactions of customers and employees. While some are moving forward into the world of cashless payments, it remains exciting to see whether traditional means of payment are finally a thing of the past or whether cash remains popular in niche areas.

The discussion about cash and cashless payments will certainly continue, and especially in a country like Germany, where cash has long been part of the culture, it is an interesting topic that affects everyone - from small bakers to large retailers.