Specialty retail
GameStop
More flexibility in how customers shop, with a more convenient way to pay over time. 196% increase in BNPL transaction volume
Winning holiday 2026 starts before the code freeze
Retail's biggest season rewards merchants who move first. Shoppers already transact 32.3% increase in average spend. This page has the research, the framework, and the results to prove it.
Consumer pressure
Financially conscious shoppers are still spending, just more deliberately. Data from Zip shows customers transact 11.3 times a year, spending with more intention than they used to.²
AI discovery
AI is becoming the first stop in holiday shopping. Shoppers are asking AI assistants to compare retailers before they ever open a browser.
In-store resurgence
In-store traffic is back, and it raised the bar. Shoppers expect the same flexibility in-store that they get online.
Payments flexibility
Payments flexibility is a competitive advantage for holiday retail. Adding flexible payments lifted average order value (AOV) by 25%.³
Three moments that decide holiday 2026
Those four shifts create three moments where the season is won or lost.
Discovery
Shoppers now research retailers through AI assistants before they visit a site.
Consideration
A flexible payments option signals affordability before checkout even starts.
Conversion
A payments experience (PX) that works online and in-store turns comparison into a sale.
Real merchants, real holiday results
Merchants across categories are already turning these three moments into revenue.
Education, Retail
Follett
Grew average order value by 18% after adding flexible payments. Outcome: +18% AOV
Apparel
Cato
Gives budget-conscious apparel shoppers another way to say yes at checkout. Outcome: +50% AOV
Travel
Alternative Airlines
Extends flexible payments into ticketing and travel, beyond retail checkout. Outcome: +22% AOV
See the research behind these results
Free reading on the shifts and strategy behind the outcomes above. No form required.
From Checkout Button to Full-Funnel
The case for treating flexible payments as an omnichannel strategy.
Shoptalk Spring 2026 Recap
Holiday planning questions, answered by Zip's research team.
How to Choose a BNPL Provider
A practical framework for vendor evaluation and procurement.
See the Payments Experience (PX) in under three minutes
Still deciding if this fits your stack? Watch how it works end-to-end before you talk to a rep.
Explore the full Payments Experience
The video shows the big picture, but you can go deeper wherever your team needs the most detail.
Find the resources built for your role
Every seat at the buying committee table has a different question. Find yours.
IT & Operations
What integration requires, and why the timeline matters before code freeze.
Act before code freeze. Keep more options open.
Book a demo to learn what's still possible.
Common questions before you commit
Straight answers to what buying committees usually ask before signing off.
How fast can a merchant get Zip live before the November code freeze?
Most new merchants go live within one month, and 70% are live within two. Starting the integration conversation now keeps both timelines in reach.
Does offering flexible payments for holiday retail increase risk or loss for merchants?
Do BNPL shoppers come back, or is this one-time holiday usage?
How satisfied are Zip customers with the experience?
Can Zip work alongside our existing loyalty program or private label credit card?
Do flexible payments reduce cart abandonment during the holidays?
US loans through the Zip app and Zip Checkout are originated by WebBank, except for Zip-originated loans in CO, NV, MA, and MD. Merchant results referenced on this page reflect individual outcomes and are not guarantees of future performance. Video content produced in partnership with Visa. All statistics cited are sourced from Zip's 3Q FY26 results released to the ASX, Zip internal transaction data, or Zip customer survey data as noted, and are subject to confirmation by Legal and Compliance before publication.
1 3Q FY26 results released to the ASX
2 3Q FY26 results released to the ASX
3 Comparison of Average Order Value before and after Checkout integration using identical pre- and post-integration month windows. Pre-period includes App orders only. Post-period includes App + Checkout orders for the same duration after integration. Based on internal transaction data (July 2024 – March 2025).
4 Internal data analysis of transactions from July 2024 - June 2025, Source: first order vs contract signed date 5 3Q FY26 results released to the ASX
6 Zip transaction data for 12 months ending in Dec 2024
7 Based on Zip Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey data, US customers, as of Jan-March 2026.