Cash Management Machines Gain Traction Amidst Legal Battles Over Cash Handling

A class-action lawsuit approved this week against Rami Levy Marketing Hashikma has highlighted the difficulties retailers face in managing cash, leading to financial losses for cashiers. The supermarket chain was found to be charging cashiers for discrepancies found in their registers, effectively transferring the risks associated with handling cash to employees. This practice has also been observed in other major chains like Osher Ad, Shufersal, and Victory, with the latter already fined for the issue.

Cash handling errors, including miscounting change, confusing denominations, and customer deception, are common causes of cash shortages. To address these challenges, the CashDro machine, a cash management system that functions as both a safe and a cash counter, has seen a significant increase in adoption over the past two years. Developed by Spanish company ICS, the CashDro system was first introduced in Israel 12 years ago but has only recently gained widespread acceptance.

One CashDro unit can serve between four to six cash registers, and it has been installed in numerous retail chains, including Osher Ad, Yohananof, and Alma Market. Despite the growing prevalence of digital payments, cash remains legal tender in Israel and is still widely used, particularly in certain demographics and for emergency situations. Yafit Tal, owner of Talalim, which imports the technology, stated that cash is not disappearing anytime soon, noting its continued use in food chains and its resurgence due to recent events.

The CashDro system enhances security by acting as a protected safe, verifies banknotes for authenticity, and automatically dispenses accurate change. It also streamlines the closing of shifts by eliminating manual cash counting. While cashiers report occasional malfunctions, these are often attributed to inadequate training. The system's adoption is further supported by companies like Brinks, a major cash management provider in Israel, which has installed approximately 700 CashDro units nationwide.

Although digital payments are common, cash usage remains significant in sectors like the Arab and Haredi communities, among business owners, and benefit recipients. This persists despite government efforts to curb cash use due to its potential for illicit activities. The CashDro system is seen as a solution to mitigate errors, detect counterfeits, and prevent legal challenges like the one faced by Rami Levy.