The death of the paper receipt… and what retailers need to do next

The Discovery of the First Receipt: A 3,500-Year Journey to Digital

Paper receipts have been around for thousands of years. The earliest known example was discovered in Turkey; a 3,500-year-old clay tablet, written in Cuneiform, the ancient Middle Eastern script, recording the purchase of large quantities of wooden furniture from an unknown seller.

Fast forward 3,500 years, and it’s striking how little these receipts have evolved for the majority of retailers. From clay tablets to paper slips, they remain physical items - small, easily lost, and often wasteful proofs of purchase.

In fact, in some ways, they’ve become more problematic. New studies suggest that holding a thermal paper receipt for more than 10 seconds can result in exposure to harmful chemicals, which have been linked to several health issues, including cancer. 

But is this all about to change? 

Image credit: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism

In 2023, France took a bold step toward sustainability with the introduction of its ambitious Anti-Waste and Circular Economy (AGEC) law. As part of their broader AGEC law to minimise waste and promote a circular economy, the banning of automatic paper receipts was introduced to reduce paper waste and the environmental impact associated with the production, printing and disposal of receipts.  And now, other countries are following suit. 

Italy says “Arrivederci” to paper receipts 

Italy is the next nation to commit to phasing out paper receipts. In June 2025, a new fiscal resolution was approved, confirming a ban on automatically printed paper receipts and a mandate that traditional receipts should be replaced by digital alternatives. The new legislation is due to commence in 2027 for large retailers and will then be rolled out to all merchants by 2029.

For now, much like in France, paper receipts will still be available by customer request, but drastically reducing the systematic printing of paper receipts signals a major shift towards sustainability and digital transformation.

Global Shift: Other Nations Saying Goodbye to Paper Receipts

Other European countries have also taken similar measures. In parts of Belgium, paper receipts were made optional for retail transactions in 2023, while in 2024, Finland launched the Real-Time Economy Project - an initiative aimed at driving a more digital economy, with digital receipt adoption as a key focus.

Outside of Europe, California, Washington State, and Switzerland are also implementing regulations to ban the use of thermal paper containing bisphenols, such as BPA and BPS, due to health concerns associated with these chemicals.

Consumer demand is also driving digital receipts 

It’s not just government legislation that's leading the digital receipt revolution; customers are demanding it too. In a 2024 consumer survey, 72% of UK consumers chose digital receipts when given the option at checkout, and 57% expressed a desire for more retailers to offer digital receipts instead of paper ones. 

The data shows a clear trend. More and more consumers are seeking out sustainable retail options, and digital receipts are emerging as the preferred method for retrieving purchase receipts, helping to reduce waste and shrink the environmental footprint.

Retailers, be ready for the receipt revolution

The shift away from paper is no longer a matter of if, but when. Across the world, retailers are rethinking one of the last remaining paper touchpoints in the customer journey: the receipt.

At Yocuda, we’ve seen this change coming for a while. With our solution now live in more than 50 countries, we’re hearing from more and more brands that want to make the move to digital receipts.

Even in markets where there’s no legislation yet to limit paper receipts, forward-thinking retailers are already preparing for what’s ahead. They know that sustainability goals, customer expectations and efficiency targets are all moving in the same direction, towards digital.

By making the switch now, these brands aren’t just cutting down on paper waste. They’re also opening up new ways to connect with customers, personalise experiences and gain better insights - while staying one step ahead of the curve.

At Yocuda, we are proud to partner with some of the world’s biggest brands, helping them not only stay compliant with evolving legislation and fiscal requirements but also transform the receipt from a dead, lifeless customer journey endpoint to a gateway for new opportunities, which engages customers and drives loyalty.

The likes of M&S, Decathlon, Longchamp, Sainsbury’s, PUIG, and Sephora are using the solution not only to identify in-store customers but also to engage with them post-purchase using dynamic and personalised content within the receipt. 

The receipt revolution is here - be part of it with Yocuda.