Retailers have seen customers increase their average spend by 65 per cent after using an in-store cash machine, according to new research.

Independent figures collected by consultancy firm HIM found that convenience store shoppers spend on average £5.64 per visit while cash machine users at a store will spend on average £8.99, some 65 per cent more.

One in ten people surveyed said they would shop elsewhere if a cash machine was removed from their local convenience store.

Cash machines also have a positive impact on 'footfall' numbers, according to the research, and free cash machines attract 15 to 20 times more cash-withdrawal transactions than the average charging machine, according to figures from ATM provider LINK.

"Increased revenue and improved customer numbers make a compelling argument for retailers to consider installing a cash machine," said Graham Mott from LINK.

"It was also very interesting to find that many shoppers now expect to see a cash machine in their local store and will actually be disappointed not to have access to their cash."