COMMENTARY: How Payments Have Boosted the Customer …

When you’re pressed for time, there’s probably a handful of neighborhood stores where you shop regularly. You can depend on them in those hurried moments, whether it’s the small retailer that stocks your favorite items, the local coffee shop that knows just how you like your coffee, or the mobile groomer that does wonders with your energetic pet. As different as all these small businesses are, they likely have something in common: modern payment solutions that get you in and out and let you pay your way.

In this article, I’ll explore how small merchants’ adoption of modern payment technology to keep up with consumer demand for speed and convenience helps keep them competitive by offering a positive customer experience and strengthening customer loyalty.

Yazdian: “The evolution of payment methods in local shops … enables businesses to streamline their operations, level up their marketing initiatives, and better serve their customers overall.”

Our 2022 consumer research shows that most customers still pay in cash for small-ticket items, such as pastries from a bakery. However, with the proliferation of digital technology and increased demand for speed and convenience at the checkout, the shift to card payments among consumers in the U.S. has accelerated over time. That’s leading more merchants to implement modern point-of-sale systems.

In fact, as enhancements in checkout technology become more accessible, many small merchants both understand the value of the developments and are actively putting them to use. In a separate study released earlier this year, we found that 70% of merchants plan to incorporate new payments technology within the next 12 months. That study surveyed more than 200 U.S. brick-and-mortar businesses.

In the same study, we learned that the most sought-after enhancements ranged from the availability of actionable customer insights to payment terminals that enable contactless payments, or tap to pay, via a mobile device or contactless chip card. Merchants that have integrated a POS solution are accepting payments more than doing any other function, but many also use these platforms for accounting services, inventory management, gift cards, and mobile loyalty programs. They’re even leveraging internal customer data to drive social promotion and marketing campaigns.

Efficiency and maintaining greater control over the business are the two benefits that many merchants cite most frequently when asked how an integrated POS helps their business build an improved customer experience. Small businesses are also embracing traditional payment methods alongside the acceptance of alternative payment solutions, such as digital wallets and eCash. Their aim is to give their customers the option to pay using the most convenient and efficient method for them.

Modern payment methods have made paying for errands more convenient, efficient, and rewarding for customers and small businesses alike. The key to mastering the checkout is to offer simple and modern approaches that help create a positive and quick payment experience. This starts by partnering with a payments provider that can offer both insight around the POS and tech that works best for the business model.

This will then lead to broadening payment acceptance to include a diverse mix of solutions at the point of sale. Local businesses have also begun to offer loyalty programs through apps that allow customers to accrue points for their purchases. These loyalty programs not only incentivize customers to return, but also provide businesses with valuable insights into their customers’ purchasing habits and preferences.

By using data from these apps, coffee shops can personalize their marketing efforts and create a more engaging and rewarding experience for their most loyal customers. Pet shops can remind customers about upcoming grooming services, send coupons and samples, or invite pet owners to bring their furry family members to try new treats they may be selling. The evolution of payment methods in local shops has not only made purchasing products and services more convenient.

It also enables businesses to streamline their operations, level up their marketing initiatives, and better serve their customers overall.

By embracing modern payment technologies and enhancing loyalty programs, coffee shops, pet salons, and businesses of all processing volumes can create a more efficient and engaging experience for their customers, leading to increased loyalty and repeat business.

–Afshin Yazdian is president, Merchant Solutions, at Paysafe Ltd.

arket listed on couponmatrix.ukcleanco listed on couponmatrix.ukelvie listed on couponmatrix.ukfalse-eyelashes listed on couponmatrix.uklife-looks listed on couponmatrix.ukoyo-rooms listed on couponmatrix.uk
arket listed on couponmatrix.ukARKET is a clothing and lifestyle brand for those who love laid back sophistication. Timeless, stylish pieces are the perfect basis for your capsule wardrobe, and the range of gorgeous homewares will brighten up your home, too. Make the most of an ARKET discount code to save on modern style with a sustainable focus, and banish those ‘nothing to wear’ days for good! This is the ultimate lifestyle brand for everyday.
cleanco listed on couponmatrix.ukWhen you crave the delicious flavours of your favourite spirits and cocktails without the worry of a heavy morning after, turn to CleanCo. Specialists in producing non-alcoholic versions of bartender staples, all a drink fan needs is a CleanCo discount code to sample the brand’s unique spin on gin, rum and vodka for minimal expense. With an aim to replicate all the taste with none of the alcoholic heaviness, CleanCo is for the happy drinker seeking a happier, healthier lifestyle.
elvie listed on couponmatrix.ukElvie takes women’s health seriously—but it’s far from boring. Applying cutting-edge technology to breastfeeding and pelvic floor exercises, Elvie’s smart products bring women’s health products into the 21st century. Whether you want to banish mishaps with the app-powered Elvie Trainer or make breastfeeding more convenient with the Elvie Pump, we’ll help you save on whatever you need with our Elvie discount codes at Groupon. Keep checking back for the best codes, Elvie Pump sales and offers available now.
false-eyelashes listed on couponmatrix.ukIf you love the wide-eyed look that can only be achieved with the perfect pair of false lashes, then look no further than FalseEyelashes.co.uk for all the hottest looks. Use your False Eyelashes discount code on some of the most popular falsies styles and feel confident that you’ll always receive the top quality in false lashes. FalseEyelashes.co.uk also stock mascaras, lash glue and removers, and all the accessories you could need for every style of lash.
life-looks listed on couponmatrix.ukLife and Looks offers a wide range of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products for both women and men. You'll find plenty of beauty essentials including skincare, body treatments, toiletries and fragrances. Check out our newest offers at Life and Looks to enjoy discounts on all the latest healthcare, beauty, and lifestyle products. Whether you're looking to enhance your morning routine or looking for a heartfelt gift, we've got you covered. At Groupon, we work hard to find the best deals and discounts on all the products you love. And that includes Life and Looks! We scour the internet for the latest bargains so you can save money on the treatments and healthcare enhancements you deserve. Even if you’re simply filling gaps in your makeup drawer, you may surprise yourself with the savings we can secure at Life and Looks. One of Life and Looks’ top-performing products is its skincare range. They have a wide selection of both men's and women's skincare, so you're sure to find something that suits your needs. And with our Life and Looks promo code, you can achieve stunning results for a fraction of the cosy! So take a look and see what Life and Looks can do for your complexion today.
oyo-rooms listed on couponmatrix.ukWhether you’re heading for a night out in Newcastle or a beach break in Brighton, OYO Rooms ensures you’ll have a place to rest your head for less. Designed to provide budget-friendly accommodation in cities and towns across the UK, an OYO Rooms discount code can help cut costs on stays anywhere from Tamworth to Torquay. With hotels, townhouses and country manors amongst its inventory, you’re assured to find a snug place to stay without breaking the bank.