2022 Holiday Payment Trends

Shopping around the holidays, whether in-store or online, can be stressful to say the least. Waiting in long checkout lines, out-of-stock items or shipping delays, and the current economic status, can make even the merriest of shoppers take pause.

The good news is, consumers now have more payment options than ever before, and businesses are understanding the need to enhance the in-store payment process by using these options. Doing so not only improves the checkout experience, but it allows retailers to complete more transactions in less time, increasing customer satisfaction and leading to repeat business and loyal customers.

As we wrap up the holiday season, here’s a look at some of the innovative trends making the check-out experience a little brighter.

Buy Now, Pay Later

Alternative payment methods, such as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), have gained popularity with both consumers and retailers. Like the layaway system, BNPL allows shoppers to pay for products in manageable installments, making large purchases more accessible. However, BNPL takes it a step further and allows shoppers to take their purchase home immediately, often after making a down payment, rather than having to wait to complete the payment plan. In many instances, the process can be completed right on the terminal at the checkout counter. Several banks, credit unions, and third-party services now offer BNPL options to shoppers. According to CUInsight, this holiday season the projected number of BNPL users is expected to hit 59.3 billion.

Buy Online Pickup In Store (BOPIS)/Curbside Pickup

BOPIS, or Curbside Pickup, also referred to as “Click and Collect,” lets customers buy online and pick up their orders in-store, or never have to leave their car by picking up curbside. Unlike traditional online shopping, the customer physically comes to the store to collect their items, presenting retailers with an opportunity to upsell.

PAX mobile devices such as the A77, A920Pro, or newer terminals such as the A6650, allow retailers to use one device for the inventory selection process, all the way through to the customer picking up in-store or curbside.

BOPIS is also a great option for last-minute shoppers and for those who don’t want to pay for shipping or wait for their items to be shipped. As noted in an article from Bluedot, this method is widely popular among holiday shoppers, with 78% planning to utilize this shopping method.

Line Busting

Did you know the average American spends 37 hours waiting in line each year? These long wait times can frustrate consumers and result in loss of revenue for retailers. Utilizing an mPOS device lets retailers meet shoppers anywhere on the retail floor, meaning customers never have to wait in line to check out.

A recent study showed that retailers saw more than a 25% increase in sales when utilizing mPOS solutions. Applying mobile technology to the checkout experience means that customers do not feel rushed, employees have access to information about products and stock at their fingertips, and the business can provide an individualized approach to build a lasting relationship with their customers.

Digital Wallets/ Mobile Payments

Apps like Apple Pay, Venmo and Zelle work just like cash and are nearly as easy to use. In an article from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Apple Pay and other digital wallets have gained wide acceptance among retailers. Venmo, which was originally intended for “peer to peer” payments, is now accepted by CVS, Abercrombie & Fitch, Uber Eats, Hulu and Foot Locker, among others.

Mobile payments are another innovative payment trend, with Apple, Samsung, and Google offering their own versions. Incorporating the right POS and payment processing technology to take advantage of the rise in mobile payments will help businesses enhance their overall customer checkout experience. 

Self-Checkout

Employee shortages added to the strain of an already challenging retail season. Luckily, many retailers offer self-checkout which provides a speedier and more convenient way to pay for goods. This method lets the customer own the experience and does not require them to interact with a cashier at checkout. A recent report by PYMNTS sited having access to a self-service kiosk was one of the top five in-store shopping features that consumers wanted most.

How PAX can help solve the checkout experience 

PAX Technology, Inc. is at the forefront of innovation, reliability, and security. Our values are more evident than ever in the retail space, where we supply payment solutions for all environments, including multi-lane, self-checkout, and mobile line busting, just to name a few. With our innovative devices, industry-leading Android-based operating system, enterprise solution such as PxRetailer, and cloud-based PAXSTORE application marketplace, retailers of all sizes can create seamless shopping experiences for their customers through fast checkout, acceptance of a multitude of payment options, QR and barcode scanning, unattended self-service, effective inventory management, and more.

Checkout may be a customer’s last experience in the store, but we believe it is an opportunity to build valuable relationships and keep them coming back for more.

To learn more about PAX solutions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with [email protected].