Has installment payment become essential in the customer purchase journey?

Price is no longer the only factor influencing online purchasing decisions. Consumers also expect greater flexibility at the checkout stage. Installment payments, deferred payments, and the ability to choose payment terms are playing an increasingly important role in buyers’ expectations. 

Payment flexibility is no longer a secondary service

Payment now plays a central role in online purchasing decisions.

According to the June 2026 Sofinscope survey, 86% of French consumers consider the payment methods offered on an e-commerce website to be an important or decisive factor in their purchasing decision. Among them, 29% view it as a decisive criterion.

This growing importance directly concerns installment payment, deferred payment, and financing solutions.

Why do flexible payment options influence purchasing decisions?

The absence of financing solutions can have a direct impact on purchasing decisions.

Indeed, 44% of French consumers may abandon a purchase if the website does not offer flexible payment options. This figure is up by 2 percentage points compared with 2025.

This expectation is even stronger among consumers under 35 years old, whose interest in these solutions is 12 percentage points higher than the national average.

These findings highlight consumers’ growing interest in more flexible payment solutions. 

Which solutions appeal most to consumers?

When consumers hesitate before making a purchase, several options can help influence their decision.

• 11% are attracted by deferred payment solutions.
• 23% are attracted by the possibility of paying in installments;
• 22% appreciate being able to use a credit card directly on the merchant’s website;
• 19% want the option to choose the number of monthly installments;

These results reflect a growing demand for flexibility throughout the purchasing experience.

A competitive advantage for e-commerce

The variety of payment methods available also influences consumers’ preference for online shopping.

Nearly one in five French consumers (19%) considers access to a wider range of payment methods to be one of the advantages of e-commerce. This share rises to 29% among consumers under the age of 35.

Flexible payment solutions therefore help enhance the attractiveness of online purchasing journeys. 

What is the impact on e-commerce businesses?

For online retailers, flexible payment options are no longer merely financing tools.

The data suggest that these solutions can contribute to higher conversion rates, stronger customer loyalty, and an improved customer experience when they are integrated seamlessly and visibly into the purchasing journey. 

Key takeaways

• 86% of French consumers consider payment methods to be an important or decisive criterion.
• 44% could abandon a purchase if flexible payment options are not available.
• 23% say that installment payments can encourage them to complete a purchase.
• Among consumers under 35, demand for flexible payment options is 12 percentage points higher than the national average.
• Flexible payment solutions can help improve conversion rates throughout the online purchasing journey.

Discover the study :

Sofinscope payment – juin 2026