What Are Retail Cash Payments (and Why They Still Matter)

Cash has been declared dead more times than we can count. Trust us, the reports are exaggerated. Despite 42% of consumers reporting that they pay bills with digital wallets in 2025, 13% of consumers prefer using cash for bill payments. At first glance, that may seem insignificant, but it’s about 44 million Americans.

Serving cash-preferring customers is as important as serving digital wallet users. An effective way to meet those needs is through a retail cash payment (RCP) solution. These solutions address concerns around accessibility, inclusion, and flexibility. 

If you’re looking for a payment solution for your cash preference customers, read on to learn what RCP is, how it works, and how KUBRA powers them through its KUBRA EZ-PAY® Retail Cash Payment Network.

What Are Retail Cash Payments?

Retail cash payments allow customers to pay bills in cash at participating retail locations, including convenience stores, pharmacies, and grocery stores. 

Imagine a typical morning: A busy parent drops their kids off at school and heads to their local grocery store. While picking up groceries at Walmart or Kroger, they also settle their utility bill with cash, using a reusable barcode from their account. It's all part of their regular routine, seamlessly fitting into their errands without an extra stop or added complexity. These familiar locations, already frequented by your customers, make it easy to incorporate bill payments into their everyday lives.

For some customers, RCP isn’t just convenient, it’s essential, especially unbanked and underbanked households, or for those who prefer cash due to its simplicity, control, or privacy.

What Are Retail Cash Payments Used For?

Cash bill payments are popular for essential recurring expenses, such as utility bills, insurance premiums, government fees and taxes, and telecom and subscription services. Because some of these payments are regulated or necessary, continuing to accept cash is crucial for financial inclusion and regulatory compliance. 

Cash doesn’t come with the complications of digital payments, such as card declines, technology failures, and outages. It serves diverse accessibility needs, delivers the peace of mind and control some customers are looking for, and it doesn’t require a bank account.

How Do Retail Cash Payments Work?

Cash was once associated with slow, manual processes. With RCP, billers gain standardized workflows and real-time reporting that help eliminate reconciliation delays and reduce errors.

Customers present a reusable barcode from their bill or mobile device at checkout, pay with cash, and receive immediate confirmation. Billers receive real-time authorization, posting, and reporting, so cash moves at digital speed, without added friction. End-to-end tracking and reduced manual handling make RCP a secure, auditable payment option for customers who prefer to pay bills in cash.

Why Retail Cash Payments Matter Today

Cash is still essential in the U.S. for the 5.6 million unbanked and 19 million underbanked households, with 66% of unbanked households relying solely on cash. It isn’t just circumstances that play into this; preference also still matters. About 13% of customers simply prefer to use cash to pay bills. That number rises to 28% among lower-income households and remains meaningful for older adults who value privacy and control.

Preferences aside, there are also issues around inclusion and equity. Accepting cash ensures that all customers can pay reliably, regardless of their banking status, credit access, or digital comfort. Retail cash payments provide a bridge to digital records, confirmations, and self-service tools without forcing a bank account.

All of this only works when cash is treated like a first-class payment method.

KUBRA EZ-PAY Retail Cash Payment Network

KUBRA’s RCP Network integrates retail cash into a broader payment ecosystem with over 75,000 tier-one retail locations, including CVS, 7-Eleven, Walmart, Kroger, and Dollar General. This network makes cash payment options more accessible to communities, providing reliable posting and reconciliation, a seamless customer experience, and enterprise-grade security and reporting. Below, we provide a detailed breakdown of the benefits for customers and billers.

Customer Benefits

• Make cash payments anywhere, anytime.
• Access more convenient payment locations.
• Pay quickly and securely, without the need to fill out forms or provide government ID.
• Personal information stays protected.
• Review electronic records online (mobile and desktop).

Biller Benefits

• Provide expanded in-person cash payment acceptance beyond regular business hours at numerous locations without capital expenditure.
• Boost customer satisfaction by accepting cash.
• Lower costs and accounts receivable by streamlining cash payment handling.
• Simplify operations and reduce reconciliation and settlement challenges.
• Enhance the protection of customers’ personal information.

Choice Is the Real Power Move

You have the power to be a champion for choice and advocate for underserved customers who rely on cash payments. With KUBRA at your side, stepping up to provide secure and convenient solutions means more than just options; it’s about ensuring every customer feels valued and empowered. Make this commitment to inclusivity and see the positive impact it has on your community.

As digital payments take center stage, it’s tempting to treat cash as a relic. But the real differentiator isn’t the newest technology; it’s choice. And choice remains one of the smartest strategies any organization can make.

If this has you rethinking how you’re serving your cash preference customers, learn more about KUBRA EZ-PAY RCP here.