70% of Consumers Pick Retailers Based on Payment Options
New data proves payment flexibility is a top driver for store selection, yet 80% of merchants aren't ready for the next generation of commerce.
Curated by Financing Your Way from original reporting by PYMNTS. Summary is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed — see our editorial standards.
The checkout process is no longer just the end of a transaction; it is now a primary driver for where people choose to shop. A new report reveals that 70% of consumers select retailers specifically based on the payment options offered at checkout. If you aren't offering flexible terms or preferred digital wallets, you are likely losing customers before they even add items to their cart. This shift means that financing is now a top-of-funnel marketing tool rather than just a back-end utility. The data also highlights a looming gap in merchant readiness for 'Next-Gen Commerce.' While shoppers want seamless, AI-driven experiences, only about 20% of businesses are actually prepared for this transition. Consumers are increasingly looking for 'compounding loops' where easy payments lead to loyalty rewards and personalized offers. For retailers and operators, the message is clear: your payment stack is your competitive advantage. To capture modern shoppers, you must integrate Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and other flexible financing solutions directly into the early stages of the browsing experience. Waiting until the final checkout screen to show your financing options is a missed opportunity to influence the initial store selection.
Source: PYMNTS
Related coverage from across the industry
- FIS Sees $42 Billion Opportunity in Offers Consumers Never ReceivePYMNTS · Jul 15, 2026Read our summary →
- Fraud fight can’t wait on governmentPayments Dive · Jul 10, 2026Read our summary →
- BNPL Boosts Basket Size When Shoppers See It EarlyPYMNTS — BNPL · Jul 9, 2026Read our summary →
- Back-to-school season has become a summer-long event, thanks to an earlier Prime DayModern Retail · Jul 3, 2026Read our summary →
- Invest Now, Win Later: How Buy Now, Pay Later Became a Merchant Growth StrategyPYMNTS — BNPL · Jun 30, 2026Read our summary →
- Checkout Becomes the New Front Door to Customer LoyaltyPYMNTS · Jun 24, 2026Read our summary →
