Opyn presents a research on the future of digital payments and Buy Now Pay Later B2B in Germany and Europe at E-commerce Berlin Expo
Berlin, 19 February 2025 - Opyn, the European platform for enabling B2B Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), presents, at the E-commerce Berlin Expo 2025, the results of a research conducted with Ipsos, one of the world's largest market research companies, on the future of digital payments between businesses with a specific focus on BNPL. This payment solution, already well established in the consumer sector, is rapidly emerging as a catalyst for the growth of B2B e-commerce.
The B2B BNPL: a growth opportunity for European e-commerce
According to the study conducted for Opyn by Ipsos - on more than 1,000 companies in Europe, with different sizes and geographical locations and a turnover of more than EUR 500,000 - awareness of BNPL is growing strongly in Europe. In fact, the research reveals that 80% of companies say they are familiar with this solution and almost 98% believe that BNPL represents the future of digital payments. Germany and the UK rank among the most mature markets, with 25% of companies already using BNPL, compared to a European average of 20%.
The B2B BNPL market will grow at double-digit rates in the coming years, accounting for 15-20% of B2B transactions by 2030, with an estimated value of between EUR 25 and 30 trillion. This trend reflects a paradigm shift in the way companies manage cash and face the challenges of deferred payments.
Payment habits and differences between Germany and other European countries
In Europe, 50% of the companies surveyed already use 30-60-90 day payments as the prevalent mode of payment. However, there are significant differences between countries. Germany, for example, stands out for its greater trust in the banking system: 28% of companies regularly use external financing, compared to 17% of Italian companies. In the United Kingdom and Spain, on the other hand, there is a higher propensity to use innovative digital tools.
In Germany, 49% of companies use only digital channels for their transactions, while in Italy only 29% of companies do so. This represents an opportunity to promote solutions such as BNPL, which can simplify and optimise online payment processes. On the other hand, in Germany, 70% of companies that do not use Buy Now Pay Later systems say they are interested in adopting them for their purchases with suppliers.
The key role of BNPL in B2B e-commerce
BNPL is not just a financial instrument, but a strategic lever for B2B e-commerce. Key benefits for corporate buyers include:
- Liquidity optimisation: It allows companies to purchase goods and services by flexibly deferring payments.
- Simplification of international transactions: Thanks to standardised credit terms and reduced currency barriers.
- Increased average order value: Companies can better manage large purchases thanks to instalment payments.
According to the most recent surveys, B2B BNPL transaction volumes in Germany were five times higher than in B2C, with a value of USD 467 billion. This figure underlines the potential of BNPL as an accelerator of digital adoption in B2B commerce (Arthur D. Little, 2024).
The B2B BNPL in Europe
Opyn was the first Italian company to introduce BNPL in the B2B segment in Europe, with the Opyn Pay Later platform, designed to meet the specific needs of merchants and buyers. Opyn's technology allows companies to grant online, in-store and remote instalment payments to their business customers, offering flexibility, security and customisation.
‘In the corporate world, BNPL is declined in a different way than in the retail segment,’ points out Antonio Lafiosca, COO and Co-founder of Opyn. ‘Even if the terminology is the same, it is a product that adopts very different technologies, designed to replace an often fragmented and diversified payments system. A platform offering this service must be able to perform an in-depth analysis of a company's repayment capacity, taking into account a number of complex and articulated variables. There is no standard product: it requires a longer timeframe and an in-depth assessment of a company's reliability and solvency. With this in mind, BNPL is redefining the paradigms of B2B credit, making the system more accessible and efficient. Our participation in the E-commerce Berlin Expo is an opportunity to share these concepts with leading German and European e-commerce players and to promote a digitisation culture that accelerates business processes and ultimately the competitiveness of the European economy.’
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