Why the Humble City Break is a Boon for Travel Money Retailers
Declan Morton
September 7, 2025
The UK high street is a competitive space, particularly for small independent businesses. All the more so in the travel industry. And when it comes to holidays – whether it’s a beach holiday, safari or city break – many consumers assume that the best place to buy foreign currency is from the high-profile outlets like the Post Office and large supermarkets. Partly this is a result of their big advertising budgets. However, their high transaction volumes also mean they can access better exchange rates.
Consequently, it has been difficult for independent and small groups of currency exchangers to expand their market share. Even to keep their regular business can be challenging, so new market opportunities are always welcome.
City breaks – where cash brings convenience
For the currency exchange business, it’s worth taking note of some of the low key travel favourites. The city break is a good example. It’s an established item in the holiday repertoire, especially for those who live within easy reach of an airport. City breaks are often shorter and more affordable than longer seasonal holidays. They allow travellers to escape the world of routine without exhausting their precious paid holidays. With a quick search online, travellers can find cheap flights to European cities, making this type of getaway accessible to a broad range of people.
Despite the low cost of flights and accommodations, city break travellers tend to spend freely during their trip. Major expenses like hotels and flights are typically pre-paid, and more expensive items like meals and packaged excursions will probably be covered by cards. But the need for cash is never far away. It can be essential for small purchases like taxis, meals, tips, and spontaneous purchases.
The city break opportunity for travel money retailers
For independent and small groups of currency exchangers, this city break market offers a unique opportunity. City breakers may not plan far in advance, but they need quick access to foreign currency before they leave. This demand creates a window for high street travel money retailers to offer the convenience and local service that larger competitors can’t always match.
Independent retailers are perfectly positioned to offer the currency travellers need, whether they’re heading to Paris for a weekend or Prague for a short break. Targeting this market is a worthwhile strategy.
Overcoming competitive barriers
The challenge for smaller operators is that they frequently struggle to offer competitive exchange rates. Large chains have the buying power to secure the best rates, leaving independent businesses at a disadvantage. This is where the new Money4Travel service comes into play.
Money4Travel is from the foreign exchange specialists Essiell who, with years of experience, have a comprehensive understanding of this market. Money4Travel offers a solution that benefits both consumers and travel money retailers equally. It enables smaller businesses to access competitive exchange rates typically reserved for larger operators, and it ensures that customers receive excellent value for their money.
How Money4Travel works for consumers
For the consumer, using Money4Travel is straightforward and convenient. On the Money4Travel website, customers enter their postcode and select the currency they need – for a city break, typically Euros. The platform then identifies a selection of travel money retailers within a ten-minute drive of their location. The website displays various exchange rates – with the best rates offered by Money4Travel marketplace members. The customer orders their currency online for click-and-collect and pays through Money4Travel’s secure platform.
The easy process and guaranteed best local exchange rate is a real benefit for the city break traveller, who is often time-short and looking for convenient, quick solutions before heading off. The Money4Travel model strikes the right balance between online convenience and in-person collection, giving local currency exchangers a strong selling point.
Retailers benefit too
For travel money retailers, Money4Travel offers more than better exchange rates. With a subscription starting from as low as £6.95 per month, retailers gain access to a local customer base that actively buys currency online and can collect it in person. This targeted market of city break travellers is particularly appealing as they often need their currency on short notice, making “local” a significant advantage.
Additionally, Money4Travel provides next-day payment via instant bank transfer, reducing the risk of fraud and simplifying reconciliations for retailers. It also includes a buy-back guarantee for customers and a loyalty scheme, making it easier to build repeat business. The platform ensures compliance through mandatory email and ID verification at the point of collection, along with automated Anti-money laundering screening for added security.
A Mutually Beneficial Relationship
For both consumers and retailers, Money4Travel simplifies the transaction process. It delivers a seamless experience that benefits everyone involved. Customers gain access to competitive exchange rates and the convenience of buying locally, while retailers can build a loyal customer base and grow their business. In the context of city breaks, where timing and ease can be essential, this service creates a solution that benefits both parties.
If you’re a travel money retailer looking to expand your local market, you can find out more on the Money4Travel website – why not get in touch now?
By Declan Morton, writer and editor at Money4Travel – the online service for foreign currency sales in the UK. More about the author.
