Brands making a move on Gen Z via Digital Payments

Discover how brands are adapting to Gen Z's preferences for digital payments. Learn how to stay ahead of the curve and connect with this influential market.

Digital Payment modes are indeed impacting the Global Payment Industry, and in turn influencing the strategies of the ecommerce industry.

Digital payments have revolutionised the way people transact, and India has seen a significant shift towards digital payments in recent years. With the increasing adoption of smartphones and the availability of affordable internet services, Brands making a move on Gen Z via Digital Payments has become an integral part of India's retail landscape. 

Harnessing the power of digital payments has become crucial for businesses to succeed in India's e-commerce market.

When was the last time you went to an ATM to withdraw some cash?

Cash transactions across the globe have declined drastically since 2020.

The online consumer’s payment behaviour has changed dramatically.

‍All accelerated by contactless payments, and the advance of secure payment methods, which has contributed to an increase in Digital Ecommerce Transactions.

‍How Gen Z’s preference for digital is changing the payments landscape

Who is Gen Z and how do they shop?

Gen Z, born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s, is the first generation to grow up in the digital age, and they have a unique relationship with technology and digital payments. 

Gen z payment preferences are quite different from the ones we adhere to - Going cashless.

Here are some ways Gen Z is influencing digital payments in the e-commerce market:

Increased use of mobile wallets: Gen Z is more likely to use mobile wallets like Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay for transactions. A survey by GlobalWebIndex found that 70% of Gen Z in India use mobile wallets, compared to 56% of Millennials and 49% of Gen X.

⭐ On an average, only 19% of online payments by Gen Z are through cash.

Emphasis on security: Gen Z places a high value on security and privacy, and they are more likely to use payment methods that offer secure transactions. They are also more likely to use two-factor authentication and other security measures to protect their sensitive information.

⭐ ATM usage fell by a whopping 47% in April 2020 (in India alone), while the world experienced a decline of over 40% per month on average.

Expectation of convenience: Gen Z expects convenience in all aspects of their lives, and they are more likely to use digital payments that offer a seamless and easy checkout experience. Businesses that offer one-click checkout options, auto-fill forms, and other convenient features are more likely to attract Gen Z customers.

⭐ Around 89% of Gen Z want a cashless checkout experience, showing how gen z payment preferences are different from their elder ones.

Influence of social media: Gen Z is highly influenced by social media, and businesses that have a strong social media presence are more likely to attract Gen Z customers. Social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat have also introduced payment features, allowing users to make transactions without leaving the app.

⭐ Over 92% of Gen Z are on at least one Social platform, and approximately 56% of them purchase directly from Social Media, or are directed to purchase via a payment gateway

Interest in cryptocurrency: Gen Z is more likely to be interested in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, and they may be more open to using cryptocurrencies for transactions in the future.

⭐ The Digitising India initiative guarantees that even cryptocurrency will enter the majority of ecommerce by the year of 2028

In conclusion, Gen Z is a key demographic in the e-commerce market, and their unique relationship with technology and digital payments is influencing the way businesses approach digital payments. By offering secure and convenient payment options, businesses can attract Gen Z customers and build loyalty among this important demographic.

‍How to attract Gen Z

gen z payment preferences

Accept multiple payment options: Businesses should offer customers a variety of digital payment options such as credit cards, debit cards, net banking, mobile wallets, UPI, and others. This will help customers choose the most convenient payment method for them and increase the chances of completing the transaction.

Offer discounts and cashbacks: Offering discounts and cashback offers to customers who choose digital payments is a great way to incentivize them to use these payment methods. This will also help increase customer loyalty and drive repeat business.

Provide a seamless checkout experience: A seamless checkout experience is critical for driving conversions in e-commerce. Businesses should ensure that the checkout process is easy, secure, and quick. Offering one-click checkout options, auto-fill forms, and using trusted payment gateways can help improve the checkout experience.

Utilise analytics and customer insights: By leveraging customer data and analytics, businesses can gain insights into customer behaviour and preferences. This can help businesses optimise their payment process and offer personalised recommendations to customers, increasing the likelihood of conversion.

Invest in security measures: As more customers move towards digital payments, businesses must ensure that their payment systems are secure and reliable. Investing in robust security measures such as two-factor authentication, encryption, and fraud detection systems can help build trust with customers and protect their sensitive information.

Payment Integration and Engagement: 

gen z payment preferences

Payments are moving toward an embedded ecosystem to improve seamlessness - where they are integrated into various platforms (Ecommerce stores, Social shopping, WhatsApp Commerce etc) in order to simplify the customer’s purchase experience.

And obviously to benefit the merchant and payment provider as well. 

Urging everyone to open their doors to the larger market via Application Programming Interface (API) driven expansion of banking.

Harnessing the power of digital payments

The first-ever online payment is said to be for a Pizza 🍕, back in 1994!

To think we have come this long in a span of a couple years in which James Cameron made Avatar 1 & 2… It’s amazing.

Today, we have several game changers in the Digital Payments space - BNPL, UPI, Wallets, Netbanking and more.

And why are D2C brands trying to “Make a Move” on the Gen Z?

Harnessing this power has become more important than ever, because…

Digital Banking Platforms saw a 187% increase in traffic from March 2020 to March 2021

⭐ Similarly, the Mobile Banking Software industry experienced an increase by 271% 

⭐ Digital payments in India have grown at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 55.1% between 2015 and 2020.

⭐ As of February 2021, there were more than 42.5 million Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions per day in India

⭐ The Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of digital wallet transactions in India is expected to reach USD 190-200 billion by 2023.

Online consumers expect Versatility -

⭐ Brands that have a mobile wallet option see orders grow 14% and conversion rates double

92% of online consumers are more likely to make a purchase if they see more payment options

10 Globally used Digital Payment Modes

  1. Credit Cards: Credit cards are a popular payment method for online transactions globally. According to a report by eMarketer, credit cards accounted for 39% of global e-commerce transactions in 2020.
  2. Debit Cards: Debit cards are also a popular payment method for online transactions globally. According to the same report by eMarketer, debit cards accounted for 30% of global e-commerce transactions in 2020.
  3. Net Banking: Net banking is a payment method that allows customers to make transactions directly from their bank account. According to a report by the Reserve Bank of India, net banking transactions in India grew at a CAGR of 26.4% between 2015 and 2020.
  4. Mobile Wallets: Mobile wallets like Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay have seen significant growth in recent years. According to a report by RedSeer, the GMV of digital wallet transactions in India is expected to reach USD 190-200 billion by 2023.
  5. UPI: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a payment method that allows customers to make instant payments directly from their bank account. As of February 2021, there were more than 42.5 million UPI transactions per day in India, according to the National Payments Corporation of India.
  6. EMI: Equated Monthly Instalments (EMI) is a payment method that allows customers to pay for their purchases in instalments over a period of time. According to a report by RedSeer, EMI transactions in India grew at a CAGR of 32% between 2015 and 2020.
  7. Apple Pay: Apple Pay is a digital payment platform that allows customers to make transactions using their Apple devices. According to a report by Apple, the platform had over 700 million users worldwide in 2021.
  8. Google Pay: Google Pay is a digital payment platform that allows customers to make transactions using their Google account. According to a report by Statista, Google Pay had 150 million users worldwide in 2021.
  9. Prepaid Cards: Prepaid cards are a payment method that allows customers to make transactions using a prepaid card, which they can load with a certain amount of money. According to a report by TechSci Research, the prepaid card market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 28.5% between 2021 and 2026.
  10. Gift Cards: Gift cards are a payment method that allows customers to purchase gift cards and use them to pay for their purchases. According to a report by Qwikcilver, the gift card market in India is expected to reach USD 20 billion by 2025.

And as a must mention, we have…

Cash on Delivery: Cash on Delivery (COD) is a payment method that allows customers to pay for their purchases in cash when they receive their order. According to a report by RedSeer, COD accounted for 55% of all e-commerce transactions in India in 2020.

Top 2 Digital Payment Modes adopted in India and why..

gen z payment preferences

  1. Unified Payments Interface (UPI): 

UPI is a real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) that allows customers to make transactions directly from their bank account. It has become the most popular digital payment mode in India due to its ease of use, security, and speed. According to a report by the NPCI, UPI recorded 2.3 billion transactions worth INR 4.6 trillion in February 2021, making it the most used digital payment mode in India.

  1. Mobile Wallets: 

Mobile wallets like Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay are also popular digital payment modes in India. These wallets allow customers to store money and make transactions using their mobile phones. They have become popular due to their convenience, ease of use, and cashback offers. According to a report by Statista, mobile wallet transactions in India are projected to reach USD 1 trillion by 2023.

Solution?

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