Cashless Payments Rise as Coachella Valley Business Sees Shift in Customer Habits

Digital payments are becoming increasingly common in the Coachella Valley, with one local business reporting that the majority of customers now choose to pay without cash.

At Desert Kid Coffee in Palm Desert, owners say nearly 85 percent of transactions are now made digitally through methods like debit cards, credit cards and mobile payment apps such as Apple Pay.

Customers at the coffee shop say digital payments are often preferred for convenience, speed and ease of tracking purchases. Many say using their phone or smartwatch to pay has become part of everyday life.

Still, some consumers continue to favor cash, citing concerns about privacy, budgeting and financial security.

Co-founder Katie Reed says digital transactions have helped streamline business operations by reducing the need to count cash and lowering security concerns tied to handling money on-site.

Economic experts say the shift mirrors a broader national trend. According to business professor Margaret Campbell at University of California, Riverside, the United States has gradually moved closer to payment systems already common in other parts of the world.

However, experts also caution there may be downsides. Research suggests consumers often stick to budgets more effectively when using physical cash, while digital payments can make spending feel easier and less noticeable.

Despite the growing popularity of cashless transactions, Desert Kid Coffee says cash still plays an important role, particularly for tipped workers and service employees who continue to rely on physical money in some situations.

As technology reshapes everyday spending habits, local businesses say flexibility may remain key—meeting customers wherever they choose to pay.