The French economy, despite facing various challenges, is experiencing a surge in online spending and transactions, largely driven by the digital shift accelerated by the pandemic. This transformation has propelled France’s Payments Market to a projected growth rate of 14.7% CAGR. Notably, mobile transactions constitute 50% of all online sales in the European market. With the adoption of digital payment methods, approximately 44% of Europeans prefer making payments through e-wallets and other digital channels.
In line with this trend, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payments are set to grow by 20.1% in 2023, demonstrating significant growth within the French economy.
Top 6 Payment Methods in France
Let’s delve into the six crucial payment methods in France, gaining insight into the prevailing modes of payment and ensuring your business stays up-to-date with the top choices.
Credit/Debit Cards
Despite ongoing challenges and pandemic-related concerns, credit and debit cards remain in high demand.
Remarkably, 57% of the French population prefers using their cards for online purchases.
The national card system, Carte Bancaire, encompasses various credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, but it’s essential to be aware of associated transaction fees.
Digital/Mobile Wallets
Digital and mobile wallets have firmly established themselves within the French payment landscape, offering fast, convenient, and nearly instantaneous payment experiences.
Native and international applications promote digital payments, fostering closer connections between consumers and merchants.
Prominent native options like Paylib, Lyf, and Lydia coexist with international payment wallets such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal, with close to 41% of consumers preferring PayPal for online purchases.
Mobile Contactless Payments
The French population is increasingly embracing mobile and wearable device payments.
Various emerging payment methods include Monese and Revolut, which challenge traditional banks by offering seamless financial transactions.
Banking mobile apps like those offered by BNP Paribas or La Banque Postale, as well as money transfer apps like Paylib, Lydia, and Lyf Pay, are gaining traction.
International payment brands such as Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, and Google Pay are also popular choices.
Checks
Despite the growth of digital payment methods, paper checks continue to be accepted by merchants, often promoted by banks through the issuance of free checkbooks.
Checks can serve as an alternative payment method, both online and offline, with the advantage of no transaction fees.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)
BNPL transactions are on the rise in France, offering a convenient payment option for consumers without the need for credit cards.
Renowned providers like Klarna, Affirm, Zip, and Afterpay, as well as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Amazon Pay, offer BNPL services to cater to evolving consumer preferences.
Bank Transfers
Bank transfers are used for large payments to ensure seamless transactions.
While less convenient, bank transfers remain an option. However, they typically involve transaction fees due to currency conversion charges for cross-country and domestic transfers.
Local Payment Methods and Challenges for Businesses
The diverse spectrum of payment methods demanded by consumers is poised to bring about significant changes in financial transaction practices. This disruption presents both benefits and challenges for businesses.
However, there are specific challenges businesses must address, including transaction charges, refund costs, and rental service expenses associated with multiple payment methods. Despite these concerns, offering support for multiple payment methods can lead to higher conversion rates.
Additionally, the effective and secure implementation of these payment methods is essential amid growing cybersecurity threats such as phishing, social engineering, device compromise, system breaches, and identity theft.
How Web Technology Expert Simplifies French Payment Methods Integration
Web Technology Expert offers a unique payment method aggregation solution with access to over 300 international payment methods, supporting customers in their preferred currencies and payment method choices. Our platform is suitable for both large-scale international enterprises and small businesses with limited technical expertise.
With Web Technology Expert, businesses can benefit from:
A low-code/no-code payment method integration service.
A unified payment system that provides a personalized transaction experience for customers.
PCI-DSS and GDPR-compliant services, ensuring data security and regulatory compliance.
A dashboard for end-to-end sales monitoring and analytics.
Embracing Web Technology Expert can lead to data-driven increases in conversions and revenues for your business.