The way we’re conducting retail payments is changing by the day, and new findings from Transaction Network Services show where shoppers are heading next. The research comes from TNS’ Keeping Payments Simple white paper, which studied more than 3,000 people across Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. TNS announced that these results point to one clear theme: shoppers want payment journeys that feel easy from start to finish.
TNS’ Global Managing Director for its Payments Market business, John Tait, said that shoppers across the world repeat the same message. Tait said that consumers want payment moments that feel direct and quick, and he added that trust in the system matters as much as speed. This pressure lands on retailers who must offer payment choices that feel familiar while also keeping up with new habits.
TNS’ research shows that the UK sits between digital and physical habits, making next year an important moment for ecommerce retailers deciding how to design their checkout pages.
How Much Does Age Shape Checkout Habits?
TNS said that younger shoppers lean towards self checkout because it feels quick and reduces queues. Older shoppers take a different view. More than one in five shoppers aged over fifty five told TNS that they avoid self checkout completely. This tension shapes how retailers set up their payment pages for 2026 and beyond.
The research found that reactions to digital steps shift sharply across age groups. Younger consumers want speed and clear screens that take them from cart to payment in very few clicks. Older shoppers want a steady process that mirrors the card-first world they trust. Both groups react badly when systems slow down or freeze. TNS said that frustration grows quickly when shoppers face extra steps or unreliable tech, and this can weaken loyalty.
This means that retailers cannot lean fully into one checkout pattern. They must keep the digital journey smooth for younger buyers while keeping card-based flows easy to find for older ones.
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What Payment Methods Should Ecommerce Shops Prioritise?
TNS reported that physical cards still dominate payments across all three countries covered. Even younger groups who love digital journeys continue to use cards often. But TNS also found that digital wallets are rising fast among younger consumers because of their speed and biometric security.
For ecommerce brands, this means 2026 will call for a checkout page that carries strong card flows alongside clear wallet options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Removing extra screens and making payment buttons stand out will matter. TNS’ findings show that shoppers will not stay long when the process feels slow, and those moments can affect basket completion.
Digital wallets also help younger shoppers move through payment stages without typing card numbers or personal details. This ease is one reason younger groups move towards digital-first habits. But the research also makes it clear that many older shoppers will stay with physical cards for a long time, which means retailers must keep card steps visible rather than hiding them deep in menus.
What Ecommerce Brands Should Change In 2026?
The research shows that retailers win when they keep things easy. TNS said that shoppers will not accept complex processes. If screens freeze or ask for extra steps, frustration rises immediately. Once that happens, cart abandonment becomes more likely.
Ecommerce brands planning their 2026 checkout pages can take these findings as a guide. A clean layout, clear buttons and a short journey from product page to confirmation page will help meet expectations across age groups. Wallets should sit in visible positions for younger shoppers, while a strong card payment option must be easy to reach for everyone.
TNS’ white paper essentially puts it that shoppers want speed, trust and clarity. They want digital journeys that feel smooth and card journeys that feel steady. Brands that build around these needs will stand a better chance of keeping customers through the moment that decides the sale.
