The grocery industry, like all merchants, have shouldered rising costs of accepting card payments for decades. But with more Americans preferring to use cards, and as COVID-19 influenced shoppers to transact in new ways, the impact of these costs is growing. FMI is committed to solving the issues that plague the U.S. card payments system.
Every time shoppers use a credit card, retailers are charged a hidden fee. This one-page infographic helps explain these costs and how Congress can make changes to foster competition in the credit card marketplace.
Since the pandemic began, we have witnessed a growing concern regarding a national “coin shortage.” However, what we are really experiencing is a coin circulation problem, not a coin “shortage.” Much of the $48.5 billion in coin already in circulation is sitting dormant inside America’s 128 million households, collecting in change jars and car cup holders.
The nation’s grocers have not been immune to the challenges posed by the scarcity of coins. It is creating many hurdles for shoppers who use cash to purchase the products their families need and retail stores that need to make change at the register.
For millions of Americans, cash is the only form of payment. These neighbors are the ones being most impacted by the current coin circulation disruptions.
We’re asking consumers to help make change in their communities.
If you have a jar on your shelf collecting coins and dust, leave the dust at home and go spend, deposit or redeem your coins. Returning coins into circulation can make a meaningful difference in easing the flow of coins who depend on them the most.
We have created a PSA and animated infographic, below, for you to use on your social media channels and/or website. We also encourage social media posts to use the hashtag #GetCoinMoving.