Online Retail Payments Forecast 2013-2018: Alternative Payments Go Mainstream

The e‐commerce market is evolving at a spectacular rate, and never before has it been more competitive. In 2013, consumers spent a total of $351.9 billion online, and $1 of every $6 originated from a mobile device. Smartphones, tablets, and social media offer new channels for online shopping, and retailers are ensuring that consumers’ purchases are arriving at lightning speed. This report evaluates the actual and forecast changes in the e‐commerce market, tracks the payments mix from 2012 through the forecast year of 2018 and identifies key drivers of market change. This report highlights the role of the mobile channel within e‐commerce and includes a market‐sizing for mobile online retail payment activity. Online share and transaction growth of credit cards (network and private label), debit cards, online alternative payments like PayPal and Amazon Payments, online credit services like Bill Me Later, prepaid cards, and gift cards are also evaluated.

Primary Questions:

• What are the major trends for domestic e‐commerce retail payment transactions?
• How will traditional online payment methods — credit and debit cards — fare as new options are introduced and changing economic factors influence consumer preferences?
• What factors influence consumer adoption and the use of various payment options for online purchasing?
• How receptive are consumers to online purchasing, and how will this continue to evolve?
• How has the mobile channel — including mobile phones and tablets — altered consumers’ online shopping behavior?

Companies Mentioned: 

Amazon, Bill Me Later, Bitcoin, Chirpify, Dwolla, eBay, EuroPay, Facebook, Google, Home Depot, L.L. Bean, Macy's, MasterCard, Office Depot, Overstock.com, PayPal, Starbucks, Twitter, UPS, Visa, Walmart, WUPay

Press Release: 
Online Retail Payment Forecast: 2013 took “Alternative” out of Alternative Payments

• Data collected from a random‐sample panel of 3,213 consumers in October 2013.