Nearly Two-Thirds of Global Retailers Credit Payment Flexibility with Revenue Growth: ACI Worldwide Survey

10/09/2025 – 01:00 AM

New report highlights the growing importance of multi-acquirer strategies, alternative payment methods (APMs), and AI in global retail expansion.

OMAHA, Neb. & LONDON – As payments increasingly become a critical battleground for retailers seeking revenue growth, a new report signals a notable shift toward multi-acquirer strategies on a global scale. The study, conducted by ACI Worldwide and Payments Dive, reveals that a significant majority of retailers are already leveraging multiple payment processors to optimize their operations and enhance the customer experience. This trend reflects a growing recognition that a diversified payment ecosystem can unlock new opportunities and drive bottom-line improvements.

According to the report, titled “Unlocking Opportunity: How Payments are Powering Merchant Growth,” 97% of global retailers are currently employing a multi-acquirer approach. More impressively, 96% of those utilizing two or more acquirers report a measurable increase in revenue, suggesting a direct correlation between payment diversification and financial performance. Beyond traditional credit and debit cards, the research highlights the increasing adoption of alternative payment methods (APMs), including real-time payments, mobile wallets, and even cryptocurrencies, further underscoring the dynamic nature of the payments landscape.

The findings also emphasize the burgeoning role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping payment strategies. Retailers are increasingly turning to AI-powered solutions for fraud detection, predictive analytics, and personalized customer experiences. As transaction volumes continue to rise and payment complexities increase, AI is emerging as a critical tool for optimizing payment processes and mitigating risk.

Key Findings at a Glance:

• Drivers for Multi-Acquiring Strategy: The primary motivation for adopting multiple acquirers cited by 53% of top-tier global retailers is the need to offer a wider range of payment options to customers. This is followed closely by the desire to expand into new international markets (51%) and improve payment authorization rates (48%). The survey also indicates that 86% of retailers experience cost savings as a result of working with multiple payment processors.
• Global expansion demands localized payment strategies: With 85% of retailers planning to enter new global markets in the next year, a tailored approach to payments is essential. 69% are adding local acquirers familiar with regional nuances, while 58% are prioritizing acquirers that can support locally preferred payment methods. This highlights the critical role of payments in enabling seamless cross-border commerce and catering to diverse customer preferences.
• Rise in cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrencies are gaining traction, particularly among Millennial and Gen Z consumers. 55% of retailers indicate that acceptance of cryptocurrency payments influences their choice of payment acquirer. This growing interest is fueled by the emergence of stablecoins, which offer benefits like lower transaction fees and near-instant settlement, making them an attractive option for both retailers and consumers.
• APMs now mainstream: Mobile wallets top the list of payment options retailers consider when selecting new acquirers, with 83% ranking them as a key factor. Account-to-Account (A2A) payments (67%) and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services (57%) also play a significant role in shaping acquirer preferences. This underscores the shift toward frictionless, digital payment experiences.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) use cases: A considerable 70% of retailers are employing AI in their acquiring strategies. The most common applications are fraud detection (65%) and predictive analytics (63%), demonstrating the power of AI in enhancing security and optimizing payment performance. AI capabilities are crucial for managing risks and improving operational efficiency in the payments ecosystem.
• Payment Orchestration Platforms (POPs): An impressive 90% of retailers are either currently using or planning to implement Payment Orchestration Platforms (POPs) to streamline multi-acquirer management and bolster fraud prevention measures. These platforms serve as a central hub for managing diverse payment connections.

As retail operations expand and transaction volumes increase, managing multiple acquirers can be a complex and challenging task. Payment Orchestration Platforms (POPs) offer retailers a centralized solution for managing multiple acquirers, payment gateways, and payment methods through a single interface. By consolidating these disparate elements, POPs enable enhanced reporting, improved risk management, and simplified payment processing.

“The future of retail growth will be fueled by AI-driven tools and insights, empowering merchants to optimize performance and increase customer engagement while embracing emerging payment methods like mobile wallets, A2A payments, and digital currencies,” said Adriana Iordan, Global Head of Merchant, ACI Worldwide. “As retailers increasingly adopt multi-acquiring strategies, the growing complexities underscore the need for smarter payment infrastructure. Intelligent payments orchestration is not just about operational efficiency; it’s about unlocking new revenue streams and transforming payments into a powerful driver of revenue growth.”

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Methodology

This survey, commissioned by ACI Worldwide and conducted by Payments Dive, gathered data from 105 Tier 1 consumer retail leaders. Representing senior roles spanning Payments, Treasury, Finance, and IT departments, participants’ organizations had a minimum annual revenue of $500 million. A majority of respondents (53%) reported annual revenues between $1 billion and $4.9 billion, while the remaining 47% were split between $500 million to $1 billion (23%) and over $5 billion (24%). Survey respondents indicated their company’s main operations were in North America (49%) or Europe (51%). To ensure precision and relevance, the survey was translated into French, German, and Italian.

About ACI Worldwide

ACI Worldwide, a pioneer in global payments technology, offers transformative software solutions that enable intelligent payments orchestration in real time. Banks, billers, and retailers worldwide rely on ACI to drive growth while continuously modernizing their payment infrastructures in a secure manner.

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