The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for retailers. We know - tell you something you don’t know, right? Well, what’s important to keep in mind, at this time of year, is that consumers aren’t just eager to shop. They want the best shopping experiences possible. Maximizing sales in your store will come by way of making life easy for your customers. Simply put, it’s essential to ensure your business accepts credit and debit cards.
Why do your customers prefer these payment methods during the holidays?
Credit and debit cards streamline transactions.
Holiday shopping often involves multiple purchases that take place both online and in-store. By accepting credit and debit cards, your place of business enables quick and hassle-free checkouts. According to the Canadian Bankers Association, “nearly nine out of ten adult Canadians (89 per cent) have at least one credit card and this method of payment is the choice for the overwhelming majority of retail e-commerce transactions.”
Why do you think that is? Customers don’t want to worry about carrying large amounts of cash on them. This is especially true when shopping in crowded malls or attending holiday markets. Offering card payment options ensures that your customers can shop with ease and simply focus on finding the perfect gifts.
Credit cards are essential for online shopping.
To reiterate that point about e-commerce transactions, they have grown exponentially in Canada over the years. In fact, Statista reports that “in 2024, retail e-commerce in Canada was forecast to generate over 65.5 billion U.S. dollars in revenues. According to estimates, this figure is projected to increase to 104 billion U.S. dollars by 2029.” To capture these sales, it only makes sense to ensure that your company website accepts credit cards seamlessly.
Customers expect secure and efficient payment options online. By offering a secure payment gateway, you can increase customer confidence. It can lead to higher conversion rates and fewer abandoned carts.
Credit cards often come with perks.
We’re talking about cash back, loyalty points and travel rewards. Who wouldn’t want to get benefits for their spending? By using rewards cards, consumers collect points that inevitably get them freebies. By accepting their cards, you make your store an attractive option for holiday shoppers. In fact, many customers intentionally use their cards during the busy holiday shopping season to accumulate points. Earning bonuses tied to purchases is a major incentive.
Retailers that accept credit cards tap into this motivation. Your acceptance of card payments ensures that you cash in on sales from reward-conscious shoppers. Debit cards, by the way, are ideal for budget-conscious customers who want to avoid overspending. By offering both options, your business caters to a wide range of spending preferences.
Do you accept credit and debit cards as methods of payment in your store?
At Unity Payments, we proudly offer Canadian merchants a variety of high-quality payment terminals to enable them to accept credit cards and debit cards. They include the Poynt Newland 910, the Ingenico Desk/5000, the Ingenico Move/5000 and the Poynt C Smart Terminal. To learn all about your options, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-661-3761. You may also email us at info@unitypayments.ca.
