Fractional payments: the state of grace is over

Featured image of the article Fractional payments: the state of grace is over
Fractional payment fintechs have eaten their fill. After two years of euphoria, in 2020 and 2021, they are facing rising interest rates, following inflation, and an increase in the risk of non-payment. They will have to comply with new rules which the regulatory authorities, particularly in Brussels, are preparing to curb over-indebtedness. At the same time, they will have to defend their prerogative against the giant Apple, which has launched an Apple Pay Later solution.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 15 days

Once boosted by low cost of money, the explosion of e-commerce during the Covid-19 pandemic and the habit of young people to pay on their smartphones by instalments, the pure-players of fractional payments have now had their heyday. Their offer is attractive: it allows consumers to pay for purchases in instalments (over a period of several weeks or months) and generally without interest. These companies then charge e-commerce sites and retailers a fee for each transaction. In 2021, there were

You are reading this article thanks to your trial period.
Explore new horizons by checking out our other verticals:
You are reading this article thanks to your subscription to Mind Retail.
Explore new horizons by checking out our other verticals:
Do you have information to share with us?
Our other services
Research
Conducting customized studies: benchmarks, overviews, personalized newsletters, white label content.
See more
Training courses
Our training courses & masterclasses: short formats for management, executive coaching, and skills development for junior profiles.
See more
Events
Our networking activities: half-day conferences dedicated to industry issues and open to the entire ecosystem.
See more
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Personalised pricing: Europe keeps a low profile while New York forces retailers to be transparent
In the State of New York, unprecedented legislation has come into force requiring retailers using personalised pricing algorithms to inform consumers. While the NRF is seeking to counter its...
12 December 2025
Carmila join forces with Unlimitail and JCDecaux to equip 252 malls
On December 9, Carrefour and Carmila signed a partnership with Unlimitail and JCDecaux to create a retail media network combining indoor DOOH and outdoor OOH across their sites in France and...
12 December 2025
Coupang’s C.E.O. resigns after data leak of 33.7 million customers
On December 10, Park Dae-Jun, CEO of South Korean e-commerce retailer Coupang (2024 revenue: US$31.5 billion up by 29%) resigned. The cause was a security breach that exposed the personal...
12 December 2025
Kroger compensates Ocado with US$350 million and scales back robotic warehouses
After improving net margin in 2024, Kroger is closing several automated Ocado warehouses. The strategy is to strengthen in-store picking and delivery partnerships with DoorDash Instacart and Uber...
12 December 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind Retail
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Online Advertising: Leroy Merlin and Auchan at the heart of a political controversy
Since November 17, Leroy Merlin has faced controversy after a report from Sleeping Giants, an activist group against online hate speech. The organisation alerted the Adeo group retailer (GMV 2024...
21 November 2025
2
How Maison 123 generated €420,000 on WhatsApp in 5 months
Riding on a reduction in Meta’s commercial policy, Wax start‑up specialised in WhatsApp engagement, is gaining ground, capitalising on messaging as a customer acquisition and retention channel in...
3 December 2025
3
Laurent Hugou (Les Mousquetaires): “With Diebold’s camera system, shrinkage at self-check-out is reduced by a third”
Shift towards an omnichannel payment service provider, roll-out of mobile payment and Diebold’s computer vision solution for self-checkout, impact of one-click payment on online sales, adoption of...
11 December 2025
4
Retail media: Marionnaud bets on print with Figaro to boost drive-to-store
According to our sources, Marionnaud’s beauty retailer will expand an advertising unit into 3 new countries in 2026 and is launching another retail media lever in the French key market. The goal...
26 November 2025
5
Carmila join forces with Unlimitail and JCDecaux to equip 252 malls
On December 9, Carrefour and Carmila signed a partnership with Unlimitail and JCDecaux to create a retail media network combining indoor DOOH and outdoor OOH across their sites in France and...
12 December 2025
6
Walmart parts ways with C.E.O. after 9-month revenue up by 4.4%
On November 14, the world’s largest retailer, Walmart (revenue 2024: US$681 billion, up by 5.6% at constant rates), announced the departure  of C.E.O., Doug McMillon. In office since...
21 November 2025