Germany's retailers are caught in a squeeze:
- Card payments surging: Over 60% of sales are now card-based, while cash use continues to decline.
- Rising card fees eating into profits: Retailers pay fees for each card transaction.
- Cash withdrawal demand a burden: Offering cash back puts pressure on retailers to manage cash flow.
- HDE calls for waived cash withdrawal fees: To offset the rising costs associated with handling cash.
The future of payments in Germany seems card-centric, but challenges remain for retailers.