VIDEO: What do people do with their paper receipts?

At this year’s Retail Technology Show, a series of simple questions revealed a consistent gap in modern retail strategy — one that sits at the very end of the transaction: receipts. Not as a format, but as a missed opportunity. Scroll to the bottom to watch the full video.

Where do paper receipts end up?

Asking people what they do with their paper receipts is a simple but interesting question, not because the answers are surprising, but because they reflect a wider issue.

Receipts are still treated as a functional necessity:

• Proof of purchase
• A compliance requirement
• A standard part of checkout

But from a customer-experience perspective, they offer very little perceived value. Attendees overwhelmingly answered that their paper receipts often go straight into the bin, and the ones they do keep, especially for returns, usually get lost.

That disconnect matters. It signals that a long-standing retail touchpoint is no longer aligned with customer behaviour or expectations. Simply put, receipts, as they exist today, aren’t working.

How much are retailers spending on paper receipts in the UK?

When the conversation shifts to cost, the issue becomes more tangible.

Retailers continue to invest significantly in an outdated process that doesn’t often drive post-purchase engagement, doesn’t strengthen loyalty and doesn’t drive omnichannel behaviour or contribute to revenue.

This is where retail tech, such as digital receipts, should be playing a more active role, not just in digitising existing processes, but in reassessing whether those processes still justify their cost.

👇 Scroll down to watch the video.

Should the automatic printing of paper receipts be banned in the UK?

A consistent theme across retail receipts is the move away from default behaviours and a shift towards customer choice.

Automatic receipt printing is one example of a broader pattern that no longer fits with modern expectations, something which France took action against in 2023 with their Anti-Waste and Circular Economy (AGEC) law.

Customers want choice and control over how they receive information and engage with a retailer. They want seamless transitions between physical and digital channels and want interactions that are relevant, personalised and timely. Digital receipts align naturally with all of the above.

An underrated touchpoint in retail

When you start to think about traditional receipts becoming more than just a proof of purchase, that’s when things get really interesting.

Delivered to a customer’s phone at the moment of purchase, they become a powerful digital channel, turning every transaction into an opportunity to connect, engage, and drive revenue.

Digital receipts sit directly in this moment. Unlike promotional emails, they are opened because they are anticipated, with Yocuda’s digital receipts often seeing open rates of 75% and above. That alone makes them one of the most reliable touchpoints available to retailers.

When asked, ‘What would you like to see included in a digital receipt?’ the answers were imaginative and varied, including:

• Offers and discounts
• “Complete the look” style content
• Appointment bookings
• Warranties and product information
• Personalised recommendations
• Exclusive invites to events
• Branded content

All of the above, and much more, can be delivered through Yocuda’s digital receipt solution.

Watch the video below.

Conclusion: a small change with a big strategic impact

Receipts may seem like a minor element in the overall retail experience - but they sit at a critical point in the customer journey.

The conversations at the Retail Technology Show highlight a clear shift:

1. Traditional approaches are no longer delivering the value that customers expect.
2. Customers want more choice, flexibility and relevance.
3. Delivering an exceptional post-purchase experience continues to be a top priority for retailers.
   
   Digital receipts address all three of these.

Get in touch with Yocuda below.