2026 ShopperPulse™ Perspective Research
Insights on the Payment Evolution
The way shoppers pay says more than you think.
Shopper behaviors are shifting faster than ever, driven by technology, convenience, and changing expectations across the path to purchase.
ShopperPulse™, C+R’s shopper insights division, dives into these changes in their newest research, The ShopperPulse Perspective: Insights on the Payment Evolution. This timely research, powered by Prodege sample, dives into the evolving world of payment behaviors and keeps you connected to what matters most to consumers at checkout.
Understand how changing payment preferences are reshaping the path to purchase, with essential new insights that brands and retailers need to stay competitive.
Get timely insights on payment perceptions, behaviors, and driving trends!
Understand how changing payment preferences are reshaping the path to purchase, with essential new insights that brands and retailers need to stay competitive.
New Research
Insights on the Payment Evolution
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What’s in the data?
5 research drops exploring how payment behaviors are reshaping retail.
the Payment Evolution insights by Topic
Buy Now, Pay Later
- 47% of shoppers used BNPL in the past year
- Millennials lead adoption at 58%
- Trust and hidden fees remain top concerns
The Evolution of Payment
- Mobile wallets, biometrics, and BNPL are the fastest-growing payment methods
- Traditional payments (debit/credit cards, autopay) remain dominant
- Payment choices reflect deeper financial priorities, not just convenience
The Tension Behind How Shoppers Pay
Understand how changing payment preferences are reshaping the path to purchase, with essential new insights that brands and retailers need to stay competitive.
What we’re seeing:
- Emerging methods are gaining attention—but not yet scale
Mobile wallets, biometrics, and BNPL are growing, driven by speed, novelty, and flexibility - Traditional payments remain deeply embedded
Credit and debit cards continue to dominate due to familiarity, acceptance, and low friction - Cash is declining—but still plays a role
Usage persists out of necessity and habit, especially in certain contexts - Adoption is shaped by more than convenience
Concerns around privacy, fees, and acceptance continue to influence how and when shoppers adopt new options
Understanding this tension is critical for brands and retailers looking to optimize checkout experiences and build long-term shopper trust.
What is the ShopperPulse perspective series?
The ShopperPulse Perspective series emerged out of a need to continually keep up with today’s ever-evolving shopper. Led by our ShopperPulse team, this ongoing series explores timely shopper trends and behaviors. So, when you need a quick read on emerging behaviors or a deeper look into what’s driving conversion, The ShopperPulse Perspective helps you stay ahead of the shopper curve with up-to-date data and expert interpretation.
Meet Our ShopperPulse™ Experts
In partnership with Prodege
Prodege (pro-dé-gée) is a consumer marketing and insights platform powered by leading loyalty programs. Prodege helps marketers understand and grow their customer base through market research and performance campaigns, offering brands rewarding engagement opportunities and brand-safe surveys.
