What are the emerging trends and challenges in global payment solutions?

By Puja Sharma

Discover Global Network, a leading global payment network, released the first portion of the 2024 Payment State of the Union (PSOU), one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind in the industry, providing global perspectives from merchants and consumers.

The research study, commissioned by Discover Global Network with S&P Global Market Intelligence’s 451 Research, uncovers key insights into merchant payment trends in response to customer payment priorities, merchant pain points and advancements in digital payments. At Money 20/20 Europe, Discover Global Network will share a first look at the PSOU results, highlighting emerging trends in the industry from global merchants and consumers.

“We’re seeing a continuing trend of merchants viewing payments as a driver for top- and bottom-line improvements, in addition to customer experience enhancements,” said Rajiv Gupta, vice president, international markets (EMEA) at Discover Global Network. “It’s no longer cash or credit as the two options. Our payment solutions can help merchants enable various options so consumers can pay using their preferred payment method.”

“With more consumers returning to in-store shopping, merchants have an opportunity to elevate their payment options to ensure they reflect the changing preferences of consumers,” said Gupta. “Whether it’s tap on pay mobile or contactless payment options, Discover Global Network offers the payment tools and resources merchants need to help convert customer sales.”

Click and Mortar: Omnichannel options are a key pain point for consumers and an opportunity for merchants

• In-store payment experiences should not be overlooked: While most consumers globally (57%) expect to spend most of their discretionary income online this year, in-store purchases are rebounding, rising to 43% in 2024, up from 39% in 2023.
• Consumers in both North America and EMEA are driving in-store spend. More than half (55%) of consumers in North America and nearly half (48%) of consumers in EMEA expect to spend the majority of discretionary income in-store.
• Consumers are frustrated by today’s omnichannel experience: Over the last six months, a lack of omnichannel options is the primary pain point consumers experienced after making a payment to businesses.
• Merchants recognize there’s work to be done as 86% agree their omnichannel payment experience needs improvement.

Tap to Pay on mobile and integrated checkout experiences are a key piece of the future In-store experience

• Merchants see tap to pay on mobile (92%) as the #2 two value driver for their organizations over the next three years.
• The benefits of Tap to pay on Mobile drives merchant interest: The ability to accept payments nearly anywhere (61%) and deliver a more personalized sales experience (56%) are the top two use cases driving merchant interest in the technology.
• Consumers enjoy ease of tap-to-pay on mobile: Nearly three out of four consumers (73%) are comfortable making an in-person payment by tapping their card or phone onto a merchant’s mobile device.
• Merchants are prioritizing unique checkout experiences: In addition, to convert more shoppers in-store, merchants are prioritizing ways to offer an integrated app checkout experience that combines payment, offers and rewards (43%), promote contactless payment options (39%) and offer more installment/financing options (39%).

Key Highlights:

• Payment Diversification Can Drive Competitive Differentiation for Merchants
• Merchants see value in a seamless payment experience: Nearly two out of three (61%) merchants say payments are a highly strategic area of focus that drives significant competitive differentiation.
• Merchants see an assortment of digital payment options as a key driver: More than half of merchants (53%) said offering a variety of digital payment options is the top strategy for driving conversions, highlighting the need for diverse payment integration for a personalized payments experience.
• Consumers agree with merchants: the ability to pay using a preferred payment method is the most significant factor (63% strongly agree) influencing consumers to complete a purchase.
• Merchants realize there is room for improvement: Less than one out of four (23%) merchants believe they are providing highly engaging digital experiences for customers.