Is cash on the way out?

This morning, looking for a coffee, the first two places would not take cash so I went elsewhere.
Last week I went to a coffee shop at 1.50pm on a Friday. The person behind the counter informed me they close at 2pm. I went elsewhere. That place also does not accept cash. I told this to my friend's wife and she said there are many senior people who no longer go there because they do not take cash.
One place I went to would not serve me a coffee unless I bought a meal.
How can businesses complain when they do not take the money people want to part with?

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ninalanyon · 61-69, T

Interesting. Here in Norway where we have gone in the cashless direction much further than most any permanently established shop where you pay directly in the shop is required by law to accept cash.

https://www.forbrukertilsynet.no/plikten-til-a-ta-imot-betaling-med-kontanter

The law was changed last year to make this so. It is, in part at least, a response to the worsening security situation with respect to Russia.
https://www.stortinget.no/no/Saker-og-publikasjoner/Vedtak/Beslutninger/Lovvedtak/2023-2024/vedtak-202324-066/

The DSB (Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap, Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection) recommends that one always have cash available:

Self-preparedness for payments

Payment systems in Norway are secure and effective. However, digital attacks, human error or power outages may make it impossible to pay for goods in stores. Therefore the Bank of Norway recommends that everyone should have several payment alternatives.

Having several payment alternatives can limit the consequences if you can no longer pay for things as you normally do. Here is the Bank of Norway’s self-preparedness advice.
Hold several payment cards

Holding different payment cards offers good preparedness in the event of a failure of a payment service. These can be different types of payment cards (debit or credit card), or cards issued by different banks.
Keep some cash

Cash can be used even if reserve electronic solutions no longer function; however, in some situations, it can be difficult to obtain. The Bank of Norway therefore recommends that you keep some cash available, in various and preferably smaller values. Assess the amount based on what you have of emergency goods and what you may need to purchase in an emergency situation.
Keep accounts in several banks

Having accounts in several banks enhances self-preparedness if technical problems should occur in one of the banks.

https://www.dsb.no/en/Safe-everyday-life/Self-preparedness/Self-preparedness-for-payments/