Long limited to household appliances, travel or furniture, the payment in several installments has gradually established itself as a common payment method for many purchases. Today, split payment has risen to the rank of e-commerce standard, transforming purchasing journeys and the way merchants design their offers.
Split payment, an all-terrain option
If payment in installments was first concentrated in online commerce, it is now extending to various sectors: services, leisure, equipment or everyday services. It allows very different profiles (young professionals, families, occasional consumers) to spread out their purchases over several installments.
According to a Juniper Research study, approximately 360 million consumers used this solution worldwide in 2022, a figure that could approach the 900 million by 2027 (1). In France, even if official data is more fragmented, the trend is reflected in the gradual generalization of split payment on e-commerce sites and in certain physical stores.
In this context, these solutions naturally integrate into existing pathways, provided they are clearly presented and understood, offering flexibility for the consumer and comfort for the merchant.
A payment method powered by digital transformation
The development of payment in several installments is inseparable from the digitalization of purchasing journeys. Simplified interfaces, fluid journeys, direct integration via API: these solutions have become easy to integrate for everyday purchases.
For consumers, this makes it possible to spread the cost of a purchase over several dates, without changing their consumption habits. For merchants, it is a major lever to promote fluidity of the purchasing experiencereduce shopping cart abandonment and help improve commercial performance.
The impact on customer experience
By offering more flexibility at the time of payment, split changes the way customers buy. For example, a consumer can purchase a laptop and pay their monthly payments over 3 months, which allows them to gain flexibility while securing the sale for the merchant.
For companies, integrating this type of financing solution is part of a broader strategy: fluidity of journeys, trust and loyalty of their customers. Payment in installments is becoming a strategic element in the same way as logistics or customer service.
Use and regulatory framework
Contrary to popular belief, payment in installments is not limited to a single format. Depending on the number of deadlines, duration and conditions, the options vary. Among them, payment in 4 installments has become widely used in recent years.
Although payment in installments offers a certain freedom, it remains governed by strict rules. The brands that offer it must inform the consumer about the total cost of purchaseTHE number of deadlines and the APR of the operation. These measures aim to prevent over-indebtedness and ensure the sustainable development of these solutions.
Is payment in installments here to stay?
Split payment is part of this fundamental trend that is the personalization of payment methods. As technology advances and usage stabilizes, these solutions become more integrated and easier to use for consumers and merchants alike.
For digital players and merchants, the challenge is clear: offering responsible, clear and adapted routes meet user expectations, while respecting a constantly evolving regulatory framework. Ultimately, payment in installments could become as decisive a criterion as efficient customer service or fast delivery, and lastingly shape the purchasing experience of tomorrow.
Source :
Juniper Research – Buy Now Pay Later Users to Reach Over 900 Million Globally by 2027 | Press – Accessed at https://www.juniperresearch.com/press/bnpl-users-reach-over-900-million-by-2027
