How consumer behaviour and retailer expectations are reshaping the future ofpayment in Europe.

Despite differing economic and cultural realities, consumer behaviour and the needs expressed by retailers point to common trends. Oney’s research has highlighted a number of priorities that are becoming central: budget control, seamless journeys, reliable technology and the importance of strong human support.

These shifts are not only transforming the payment experience, but also directly influencing how retailers choose their financial partners.

Value and financial flexibility are the priorities in Europe

The Smartney study in Poland clearly illustrates how households are adjusting their spending. Consumers are now focusing on what can deliver lasting value.

The study found that:

  • 91.8% of parents reported forgoing their own needs to pay for their children’s education.
  • 14.6% of parents even cut down on essential expenses (food, clothing) to keep investing in their children’s education.

These findings highlight a growing strain on household budgets and a strong focus on what consumers see as key priorities. They reflect a more considered approach : buying less but better, while using financing solutions to secure what really matters.

Insights from the B2B Barometer confirm this trend among retailers : demand is focused on simplified journeys, easy-to-use solutions and support that makes financing accessible and clear.

Financing is no longer seen merely as a payment method, but as a strategic lever for keeping essential projects moving forward.

Reliability, seamlessness and innovation: the top priorities for European retailers

European retailers have clear expectations today that reflect a rapidly changing market. Their priority is to have simple, reliable payment solutions that are suited to practical needs, capable of supporting both in-store and online transactions. They want smoother journeys, a more stable technical experience during peak periods and greater transparency at critical financing steps, especially for signing and approving applications.

Retailers value not just the tools but also the quality of the support they receive. They want partners to be present, responsive and sufficiently in tune with their operational challenges to guarantee effective roll-out and everyday use.

Lastly, retailers increasingly value financing solutions that genuinely simplify the customer experience : straightforward, seamless journeys tailored to different levels of digital maturity, along with offerings that meet practical needs, from essential projects to equipment or more occasional purchases.

In short, the European market is structured around three essential criteria : seamlessness, stability and practical value.

Local specificities that show a more global trend

Field studies across Spain, France, Portugal and Poland show that, even in different contexts, expectations converge strongly around the same needs. Oney Spain, for example, has recorded the strongest increase in customer satisfaction, with a +1.4 point jump on 2024, while highlighting a growing need for streamlined operations, training and quick incident response rates.

Poland sheds further light on the evolving usage patterns. The Smartney study revealed widespread digital adoption by younger generations, with 60% using AI tools and 40.7% using free educational apps to learn. France is showing a similar trend according to the Oney x CSA 2025 study into French consumers and their budgets, which highlighted the growing role of social media for financial education.

In 2025, 19% of under-35s said they first turned to specialised influencers – three times the national average; this percentage was even as high as 32% in 18-24 year olds. Combined with the major financial trade-offs decided by parents – putting education first, sometimes ahead of essential expenses – these behaviours reveal a population that wants flexibility, autonomy and simplicity in managing their projects.

From in-store operational needs to evolving digital behaviours, Europe is moving towards a payment experience model focused on efficiency, accessibility and transparency.

Oney’s role as a key partner

Oney is well-positioned to meet these expectations, thanks to its widely-recognised strengths. The commercial relationship is a key pillar in this, and is highly valued by retailers, with a record 87% satisfaction level, the highest score in the partner journey. This close connection with store and head office teams facilitates roll-outs and supports long-term adoption of solutions.

Technically, Oney is steadily improving. Technical performance has progressed to 7.81/10, the highest score in three years. Feedback from the field, especially in Spain, helps fine tune and boost tool fluidity during peaks in activity or at key validation stages.

Lastly, the solutions on offer have become a key satisfaction lever : they are now the leading impact driver at 22.1%, ahead of relationship and technical factors. Simple journeys, flexible options and the capacity for innovation are all key, so much so that 41% of multi-supplier partners cite the solutions on offer as the primary differentiator.

These elements confirm that Oney is now positioned as a partner capable of supporting European retailers in their transformation challenges, combining relationship expertise, continuous improvement and solutions with high practical value.

Oney stands out as the go-to partner for evolving financing needs

Oney’s research paints a picture of a Europe in transition, where uses, expectations and priorities converge. In this fast-evolving landscape, one thing is clear: financing solutions are no longer just a payment tool, but a lever for experience, trust and performance for retailers.

With a solid track record in commercial relationships and a keen understanding of both local and European needs, Oney is well-positioned to support its partners over the long term. The levers identified – simplicity, reliability, useful innovation and human support – all provide opportunities to enhance the value created alongside retailers.

More than just a snapshot of the market, these insights open up new perspectives, offering a vision of Europe where financing becomes a driver of continuity, autonomy and seamless experiences, and where Oney can play a central role in building solutions that simplify both consumers’ lives and retailers’ performance.