The premiere of the “Paid in Poland” report prepared by Mastercard is behind us. What conclusions on the payment habits of Poles have we drawn from this publication? We invite you to explore insights from Mastercard experts!
Agnieszka Śpionek, Director, Mastercard Advisors
Nearly half of Polish customers actively avoid using cash due to the convenience and speed of digital alternatives.
At the same time, the popularity of mobile wallets and tokenized payments is surging.
It is just one of the many insights from the research done by Mastercard Advisors and Minds&Roses in October 2024 among 1,000 Polish consumers.
Does this statistic signal the imminent arrival of a wallet-free Poland? Not necessarily! We still carry cash “just in case” – to shop at local markets or pay for select services. Sometimes we are still mildly persuaded to offer banknotes and coins instead of a card.
For Poland to truly embrace a wallet-less future, small businesses need to adapt and offer consumers the freedom to choose any payment method. Especially the younger entrepreneurs recognize this need and understand that the freedom of payment method boosts their business.
There’s one more benefit from offering increasingly innovative payment methods: Poles love to try them out! Our society feels particularly receptive to novelties – a fact that makes me very happy and proud!
Aleksandra Wasilewska, Senior Manager, Mastercard Advisors
Polish consumers are increasingly open to payment novelties and eager to try out innovations in this field. According to a study done by Mastercard Advisors and Minds&Roses in October 2024, one-third of Polish consumers have tried or would be open to trying biometric payments with an eye scan! Further, more than half said they want to use more self-service and autonomous technologies when shopping in physical stores.
Why do Poles fall in love with payment innovations? While testing out new technologies is an appealing thing itself, the key drivers identified by survey respondents also include time savings (skipping queues), convenience (payments with the blink of an eye – literally!), and improved safety. However, for payment innovations to be adopted on a wider scale, further education of consumers on these emerging technologies will be crucial to convince those still in doubt.
Emilia Dębicka, Manager, Product and Solutions
When it comes to online shopping, speed and convenience are key for Polish consumers. The days of navigating multiple steps and pop-up windows to complete a payment on smartphones are becoming a thing of the past. That is why tokenized payments have swiftly won the hearts and mobile wallets of Poles!
According to a study conducted by Mastercard Advisors and Minds&Roses in October 2024, 50% of the 1,000 Polish consumers surveyed have tried tokenized payments when shopping online. Tokenization not only enhances convenience but also elevates security to a new level. This is critical, as one in three respondents reported encountering suspicious or fraudulent situations while shopping online. To improve these numbers, it is important to combine technology advancements with proper consumer education on how to stay safe while enjoying ecommerce purchases.
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The report “Paid in Poland” answers key questions about the future of the Polish payments market. Publication is dedicated to partners of Future Finance Poland and members of FinTech Poland ecosystem. If you are interested to join us and explore the report, please contact us at info@futurefinancepoland.com.
