How do users prefer to pay?

In recent years we have all noticed changes in the payment methods we prefer to use in our daily lives. Digital payments have been taking over cash for several years and many Spaniards already prefer to use other alternatives. From PaynoPain, as payment specialists, we have decided to develop a survey on the “New habits in payment methods in Spain”, to know in depth how the habits of users have changed in recent years.

Payment preferences in Spain 2022

The data shows the clear preference of users for digital methods: 92.5% of respondents said they no longer carry cash in their wallet and 88.4% make their online purchases from their mobile. In terms of digital innovations, more than half of those surveyed already have a Wallet application, an electronic wallet that allows them to pay with their cell phone without having to carry their card. While 95,1% say they use it to pay on a daily basis, 17.5% use it to manage subscriptions, less than 5% use it to manage expenses and only 1.9% use it to reach savings goals and guide investments.

But what is behind these figures and what are users looking for when making their payments? Behind all this data there are certain demands and needs on the part of customers that merchants must meet.

• Convenience and simplicity

  An essential value for consumers. When we shop, we look for a simple, agile and fluid experience. This is the main reason why 92,5% of respondents say they do not carry cash in their wallet, because they find it much more convenient to pay with a card. In addition, thanks to the fact that most banks have apps that show income and expenses at the moment, which can contribute to better money management.

• Security

  According to the survey, the most trusted method is the bank card with 82.9% of responses. On the other hand, the double authentication method is the respondents' favorite protection system, with 47.9% of the responses. However, almost 30% of participants claim not to have a safeguard plan in case someone tries to steal their account data or assets, a somewhat worrying figure considering that cybercrime is still surpassing figures in 2022. For this reason it is vitally important that merchants are able to offer the maximum possible security when it comes to making payments, because if a business is rated as insecure when it comes to payment, this bad reputation can be very detrimental to the development of its business.

• Omnichannel and payment methods

  Omni-channel is the freedom given to the consumer to choose how they want to carry out their purchase and that whatever channel they choose, they are guaranteed a comprehensive payment experience Not all users have the same preferences, so having only one payment method available can be a complete waste for your business. In fact, 77,4% of consumers want to be offered different payment options when making a purchase. It is true that more and more businesses are aware of this and are implementing new payment methods in physical and online stores, as for example has happened in the case of Inditex brand stores by offering the possibility of paying with Bizum.

Applying these concepts to online stores is simpler than to physical stores, but they are no less relevant. Of the consumers who shop in conventional stores, only 8% do so for security reasons; the majority (90%) want to be able to see the product physically. Making the decision to buy online or in person is the user's task, but it is the stores that can contribute to this customer experience that consumers are looking for, adapting the space to their preferences.