Online and e-commerce payments are booming, growing five times faster than in-store payments. However, this dramatic shift brings challenges for merchants, issuers, and end users, including security concerns, higher drop-off rates, increased operational costs, and missed revenue opportunities for banks.

It has been estimated that 70.19% of online shopping carts will have been abandoned worldwide during the course of 2024. Key reasons include reluctance to create new accounts (26%), lack of trust in site security (25%), and lengthy checkout processes (22%). To address these issues, in 2017 EMVCo defined a framework for secure remote commerce and a unified secure checkout experience, supported by major payment networks like Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover. 

This report from IMRG and Ecommpay, has revealed the key checkout changes that could boost conversion rates. While the average conversion rate stands at 58%, there is a significant distance between rates for single-page (61%) and multi-page checkouts (56%) as well as between guest shoppers (52%) and registered customers (64%). With 59% of orders placed by guest customers, improving the guest checkout experience could considerably improve overall conversions.

It’s here: our 2025 Commerce and Payment Trends Report. An invaluable resource for business leaders as they define their strategy to navigate the challenges, changes, and opportunities this pivotal year will bring. Drawing from our proprietary survey data, research, and conversations with industry experts, we’ve identified six consequential developments that are shaping the future of commerce — along with insights to help you use them to your advantage and come out on top in 2025. 

An in-depth analysis of ways to reduce CO₂ emissions in payment systems and adapt to the decarbonisation imperative. As global efforts to reduce carbon emissions gain momentum, the decarbonisation of payment systems has become an urgent challenge. Worldline stands at the leading edge of this movement, having initiated thorough Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to assess the environmental impact of different payment methods. The study, prepared by Patrice Geoffron (Professor of Economics from the Paris Dauphine-PSL University) and sponsored by Worldline, seeks to quantify and compare the eqCO2 emissions related to the different payment methods (cash, cards, phones) for in-store and online transactions. The findings of this paper underscore a crucial pivot point for payment systems worldwide. With the goal of reaching unparalleled efficiency and environmental savings, our actions today can lead to a more sustainable tomorrow. As we stand on the brink of advancing payment technologies, we have the power to steer the financial sector towards practices that not only benefit consumers and stakeholders but also safeguard our planet.

Are you prepared to protect your business from the threats of direct debit cybercrime and fraud? Discover how implementing robust security measures for your SEPA Direct Debit transactions can safeguard your revenue and enhance customer trust.

In 2017, The Clearing House, supported by key technology partners including ACI Worldwide, launched RTP, a 24/7 real-time payments platform in the US available to all deposit-holding financial institutions. And although it took some time to gain momentum, it has recently seen a significant upswing in adoption.

“The growth in account-to-account real-time payments here in the US has been quite phenomenal over the last year or two,” says David Watson, CEO and President of The Clearing House, a bank consortium-owned company that is also responsible for around half of the US’ commercial automated clearing house (ACH) volume.

The rise of domestic payment methods — such as local card schemes, instant payments, and digital wallets — is reshaping global e-commerce. Consumers expect choice and seamless transactions, while businesses seek to reduce costs, improve acceptance rates, and mitigate fraud risks.

For online sellers operating across borders, this shift presents both opportunities and challenges. Adopting local payment methods is essential for meeting customer expectations and staying competitive, but it can also introduce complexity and operational hurdles.

Discover how to capture your share of Spain’s thriving digital marketplace with our comprehensive guide. This report provides essential insights into Spain’s rapidly expanding e-commerce ecosystem, payment preferences, and strategies for international merchants looking to succeed in this dynamic market.

Inside, you’ll find a deep dive into Spain’s e-commerce landscape, including key market trends, consumer spending behaviours, and the most popular local payment methods. Learn how digital wallets and instant payment solutions like Bizum are shaping online transactions, and follow our five-step market entry checklist to optimise your payment strategy for Spanish consumers.