In the fast-moving world of Malaysian retail, how customers choose to pay is changing just as quickly. Whether you’re running a boutique, a café, or a self-service kiosk, you’ve probably asked yourself: Should I stick with traditional payments terminals, or go fully automated?
With card payments in Malaysia estimated to be more than RM387 billion in 2024 and digital payments now part of everyday life, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But understanding the strengths of attended and unattended payments can help you find the right fit, or even a mix of both.
What Are Attended Payments?
Attended payments are exactly what they sound like: someone from your team, a cashier, waiter, or staff member, operates a payment terminal when customers check out. You’ll find them everywhere, from high-street retailers to pop-up stores at weekend markets.
Pros
• Great for customer interaction and personal service
• Easier to guide customers through promos or upsells
• Flexible, works with cards, e-wallets, FPX, and more
Cons
• Slower during peak times
• Requires staff training and presence
• Higher cost due to manpower
Where AmpersandPay Comes In
AmpersandPay’s available retail POS devices (like the Centerm K9) are a great match for high-touch retail environments. They’re fast, secure, and portable, and best of all, they handle cards, QR codes, and e-wallets all from one sleek machine. It’s a solid choice for businesses that value face-to-face connections.
What About Unattended Payments?
This is where things get interesting. Unattended payments are growing fast in Malaysia, think vending machines, self-checkout stations, parking kiosks, and food-ordering terminals. With no staff needed at the point of sale, customers pay directly using cards, tap-to-pay, or QR wallets.
Pros
• Runs 24/7 with no staff required
• Faster checkout = shorter queues
• Lower operating costs in the long run
Cons
• Upfront hardware/software cost can be high
• Not ideal for customers who need help
• Requires stable internet and strong system security
CoherentPlus in Action
CoherentPlus powers some of the most visible unattended payment networks in Malaysia, from toll plazas like MEX and SILK to transit kiosks and parking systems. Their rugged, contactless-ready terminals (like the Jellies V2 series) are built for volume and speed, and work smoothly with Visa, Mastercard, MyDebit, and DuitNow QR.
What About Online Stores and QR Payments?
Online sales aren’t slowing down either. Malaysia’s e-commerce market grew 12.8 percent in 2024, passing RM50 billion. And with QR codes popping up at more stores than ever, even micro-businesses are jumping into digital payments.
AmpersandPay’s Role
AmpersandPay makes this transition easy with tools for setting up payment links, integrating e-wallets, and accepting online banking. Their QR solutions support wallets like TNG, Boost, GrabPay, MAE, and even cross-border platforms like Alipay+, Thai QR, and PayNow.
What’s Trending in Malaysia?
• Cash is fading: Malaysians made over 343 cashless transactions per person in 2023, almost doubling the 2020 average of 169.9 transactions per person in just three short years; and this trend continues to climb.
• QR everywhere: TNG, Boost, and GrabPay are now accepted at most city shops. • More kiosks, less staff: Over 2 million merchants use DuitNow QR codes.
• Borderless payments: Tourists can now use foreign wallets like PayNow and KakaoPay here in Malaysia.
So… Which One Should You Choose?
It really depends on how you run your business and what your customers prefer. Here’s a quick look:
• Cafés, salons, and shops – Attended POS for that personal touch
• Vending, transit, or kiosks – Unattended payment systems for speed and convenience
• Online businesses – E-commerce + QR payments = fast and flexible
• Mixed environments – Combine them all for the best of every world
Why AmpersandPay and CoherentPlus Make Sense
With over a decade of experience and solutions that are both flexible and secure, AmpersandPay and CoherentPlus are trusted by hundreds of merchants and transport operators. Whether you’re scaling an online store, adding a vending machine, or revamping your cashier counter, they’ve got you covered.
Final Thoughts
The future of retail payments isn’t about choosing one path. It’s about giving your customers options. With the right tools and partners, you can create a setup that works around the clock, attended, unattended, or somewhere in between. Start simple, think long-term, and let AmpersandPay and CoherentPlus help you make the switch to smarter payments. For more information you can reach out to us at marketing@coherentplus.com.
References
1. GlobalData (2024) – Card Payments in Malaysia to Surpass RM387 Billion in 2024 🔗 https://www.globaldata.com/media/banking/card-payments-in-malaysia-to-surpass-84-billion-in-2024-forecasts-globaldata/
2. Retail Asia (2024) – Malaysia’s E-Commerce Market to Grow 12.8% in 2024 🔗 https://retailasia.com/e-commerce/news/malaysias-e-commerce-market-grow-128-in-2024
3. Bank Negara Malaysia (2024) – Financial Stability Review 2023–2024 🔗 https://www.bnm.gov.my/-/fsr2023h2 (Most recent official release as of mid-2024)
4. Verified Market Reports (2024) – Unattended Payment Kiosk Market Report 🔗 https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/product/unattended-payment-kiosk-market/
5. Mordor Intelligence (2024) – Malaysia Payments Market Report 🔗 https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/malaysia-payments-market
6. Global Brands Magazine (2025) – Excellence in Contactless Payment Solutions Award 🔗 https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/award-winners-2025/
