By 2026, POS systems are going mobile and smart, AI is starting to make purchases for consumers, and contactless payment is rolling out everywhere from parking to drive-through service. These are the findings of the 2026 Commerce and Payments Trends Report published by Global Payments, based on a survey of 600 decision-makers worldwide.
At Geasy Pay, we’ve analyzed this report to extract what really matters to Quebec merchants and restaurateurs. Here are the 6 payment trends for 2026 and how to prepare for them.
1. Artificial intelligence becomes your sales assistant
AI is no longer limited to automated customer service. In 2026, it will begin to make purchases on behalf of consumers – this is known as agentive commerce.
What the figures say
The phenomenon is already well underway: 87% of companies surveyed say they are familiar with agentific commerce (including 15% who are very familiar). Almost half of retailers(44%) have already seen their customers use AI-based shopping tools. On a global scale, the potential is estimated at 240 billion USD in new online sales revenue, thanks in particular to the reduction in basket abandonment, which today affects two-thirds of online transactions.
Major players such as Walmart, Amazon, Visa and Mastercard have already launched agentific commerce functionalities on their platforms. Global Payments has partnered with Google for the Agent Payments protocol.
What it means for a Quebec merchant
Even if your store on rue Saint-Denis doesn’t welcome AI agents tomorrow morning, the trend is clear: consumers are increasingly using AI to search, compare and soon buy. For a business with a website or online store, this means that your online presence needs to be readable not only by humans, but also by AIs.
Concrete action: Make sure that your prices, inventory and contact information are structured and up-to-date on your website. Modern POS systems that integrate online management facilitate this synchronization.
2. Out of the counter: the mobile POS revolution
This is perhaps the most tangible trend for Quebec merchants. The payment terminal is no longer a fixed device on your counter, it follows you everywhere.
Key figures
Mobile POS is already ubiquitous: 85% of medium-sized retailers use it. And when it comes to choosing a new POS system, retailers know what they want. Top of the list:real-time sales analysis (57%), followed byintegration with the online platform (53%) and payment security (35%). The main criticism of current systems? Lack of integration with other tools, cited by 32% of respondents.
“Internationally, and particularly among small and medium-sized businesses that were previously reluctant to invest heavily in new POS equipment, we are seeing a significant explosion in demand for electronic cash registers, smart terminals and the full range of new POS systems.”
– Alan Irwin, VP Products and Solutions, Global Payments
What this means for your business
Cloud-based POS systems synchronize everything from a single platform: mobile payment, link billing, automated promotions, receipt printing and reporting. It’s the end of fragmented systems.
Concrete examples:
- Quick-service restaurants Quick-service restaurants: Employees take orders and collect payments with handheld devices at the drive-thru, speeding up customer flow.
- Restaurants with kiosks: Dynamic menus adapt to the weather, offering ice cream sundaes in warm weather.
- Salons and services POS platforms connect directly to payroll tools, automatically calculating and transferring tips to employees.
- Retail: A single device combines payment management, inventory and sales reports.
For Quebec merchants, the question is no longer “do I need a POS system?” but “is my current POS system up to the challenge of what’s out there now? A payment terminal or Interac machine that simply processes transactions is a missed opportunity.
3. Integrated finance makes financial services accessible to SMEs
Integrated finance is the integration of financial services (loans, instalment payments, insurance) directly into the platforms you already use. The most visible case: “Buy now, pay later”.
Data that counts
The results speak for themselves.
Among retailers who have adopted “Buy now, pay later”, 51% have seen their revenues increase by at least 25%. The impact on the average basket is just as clear: 39% of companies report an increase in order value of over 10%, and 40% an increase of over 25%. The average value of an instalment transaction is USD 135, so it’s not just for large purchases. On the consumer side, 22% of Americans aged 35 and under have already used it. In North America, 54% of companies plan to invest in integrated finance.
“This has become the norm. How can you not offer this as a payment option on your site? If you’re an SME, you’re simply ignoring an entire population and their preferred payment method.”
– Mark Nelsen, Head of Global Consumer Products, Visa
What this means for Quebec SMEs
Integrated financial services used to be the preserve of large chains. This is no longer the case. Thanks to APIs and modern payment platforms, a small café in Montreal can :
- Obtain a cash advance from your payment provider, repayable via a percentage of daily transactions
- Offer customers payment in instalments for larger orders
- Integrate subscription billing for recurring services
Integrated Finance doesn’t replace your bank, it adds financial tools where you need them, directly into your POS system or online store.
The most popular features
For managers, real-time real-time fraud detection tops the list of priorities (71%). Next come instant credit decisions and dynamic payment offers such as “buy now, pay later” (59% each), followed by loyalty-based financing (53%).
4. Instant payments improve retailers’ cash flow
Consumers have been transferring money instantly between themselves for years. Now, this speed is coming to commerce.
What the survey reveals
Instant payments are the number one investment area: 31% of companies are already investing in this area, far ahead of integrated finance (10%) and self-service (5%). In North America, the main use case is customer reimbursement, cited by 71% of respondents. The value of real-time transactions is expected to grow by 35% a year between 2023 and 2030.
“Many SMEs have a critical need for cash and are very interested in anything that can improve this situation.”
– Laura Wallace, VP Customer Experience, Global Payments
The concrete impact on your business
For Quebec merchants, instant payments offer several advantages:
- Improved cash flow: You receive your funds more quickly, without waiting for the usual processing times.
- Accelerated refunds: An unhappy customer who receives an instant refund is a returning customer.
- Less dependence on credit: With quicker access to your income, you won’t need to borrow to cover day-to-day expenses.
That said, implementation may require upgrading your payment infrastructure. The main risk for SMEs remains the cost of adoption in relation to the benefits. This is a case-by-case calculation, depending on your volume of transactions.
5. Contactless payment and self-service become the norm
Order kiosks, self-checkouts and contactless payment are no longer a novelty, they have become a consumer expectation.
The figures
The trend is massive: 83% of executives plan to automate customer interactions in the next two years. On the infrastructure side, 97% of POS terminals worldwide already accept digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay). The results are tangible – McDonald’s saw its average basket increase by 20% after the introduction of ordering kiosks, and micro-markets generate 27% more per transaction than traditional vending machines. As for consumers, 61% prefer self-service for simple requests. For businesses, the break-even point is between 11% and 25% reduction in labor costs, according to 63% of respondents.
What this means for Quebec retailers
Contactless payment via digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) has become a reflex for the majority of consumers. If your payment terminal or Interac machine doesn’t support contactless, you’re creating unnecessary friction.
For restaurateurs: Self-service ordering kiosks are no longer the preserve of large chains. Data shows that they increase the average basket by 20% thanks to intelligent suggestions for additional sales.
For retail: traditional cash registers give way to POS systems that combine contactless payment, inventory management and real-time reporting in a single device.
Biometric authentication is also progressing: FIDO standards enable consumers to authenticate themselves by fingerprint or facial recognition when shopping online, eliminating the need for passwords.
6. Stable cryptocurrencies: a trend to watch, not yet to embrace
Stable cryptocurrencies (indexed to the US dollar or another stable asset) are getting a lot of press. The Global Payments report devotes an entire chapter to them. But what does this really mean for a Quebec merchant?
The state of play
The interest is real: 72% of North American companies say they would be open to stable cryptocurrencies if they were integrated into their existing platforms. The main motivation? Reducing transaction costs, cited by 73% to 82% of respondents depending on company size. But the reality of the market is quite different: stablecoins still account for less than 1% of global money transfers, and Citibank estimates that adoption is only at 5% of its potential.
Our honest analysis
Stable cryptocurrencies have real potential for cross-border payments and reduced conversion fees. But for a Quebec merchant selling in Canadian dollars to local customers, the benefits are limited for now.
Things to remember: The GENIUS Act passed in the USA in 2025 creates a regulatory framework, but Canada does not yet have equivalent legislation. The collapse of TerraUSD (down to 0.40 USD for 1.00 USD) is a reminder that this technology carries real risks.
Our recommendation: Follow the trends, but don’t change anything for the time being. Focus your investments on trends 1 to 5, which have an immediate and measurable impact on your sales.
What these trends mean for your business
The summary
Two trends call for immediate action: modernizing your POS system (mobile and intelligent POS) and eliminating friction at checkout (contactless and self-service payment). In the short term, integrated finance (instalment payments, cash advances) and instant payments deserve your attention to improve your cash flow. AI and agentific commerce are to be prepared for in the medium term by optimizing your online presence. As for stable cryptocurrencies, the best strategy remains to monitor without acting for the time being.
What all these trends have in common
Every trend in this report points in the same direction: payment must be invisible. Whether via a kiosk, phone, AI agent or mobile terminal, the aim is to reduce the friction between the moment the customer decides to buy and the moment the transaction is completed.
For a Quebec merchant, the most profitable action is to ensure that your POS system, payment terminal and Interac machine are up to the task of meeting your customers’ expectations in 2026. The right equipment doesn’t necessarily cost more, but it does generate more revenue.
Frequently asked questions about payment trends 2026
What are the main payment trends in 2026?
The 6 major trends in 2026 are: agentific commerce (AI-powered shopping), mobile and smart POS systems, integrated finance (including “buy now, pay later”), instant payments, widespread contactless payments, and the emergence of stable cryptocurrencies. These findings come from the Global Payments 2026 Report, based on a survey of 600 global decision-makers.
Is contactless payment now compulsory for retailers?
No, contactless payment is not legally mandatory. However, 97% of POS terminals worldwide are now equipped to accept it, and the majority of consumers expect it. Not offering it creates friction that can cost you sales.
How much will it cost to update a POS system in 2026?
The cost of a modern POS system in Quebec ranges from $50 to $300/month, depending on functionality. Cloud-based systems often eliminate high installation costs. The investment pays for itself in increased average basket (+20% with kiosks, according to McDonald’s data) and operational efficiency.
Is “buy now, pay later” relevant for small businesses?
Yes, the average “buy now, pay later” transaction is just 135 USD. It’s not just for big purchases. According to the Global Payments report, 51% of retailers who have adopted it have seen their revenues increase by at least 25%. Visa, Mastercard and American Express programs make this option accessible to SMEs.
Will AI replace sales clerks?
No. Agentive AI aims to facilitate the shopping process, not replace human interaction. Only 4% of consumers currently express interest in an AI agent that would make purchases for them. AI will be most useful for repetitive tasks (inventory management, personalized suggestions) and for enhancing the online experience.
Are cryptocurrencies a viable payment method for Quebec businesses?
Not yet. Stable cryptocurrencies account for less than 1% of global money transfer volume. Citibank estimates that adoption is only at 5%. For a Quebec merchant serving local customers in Canadian dollars, the benefits are negligible for now. Focus on proven technologies that improve your cash flow today.
About this report
The data cited in this article comes from the 2026 Commerce and Payments Trends Report published by Global Payments. The report is based on interviews with executives from Global Payments, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Mastercard and Visa, as well as a global survey of 600 payment and technology investment decision-makers.
Geasy Pay is a reseller of Global Payments solutions in Quebec. Our role is to help you choose and implement the right payment solution for your business, with complete transparency.
Want to know if your payment system is up to date? Contact us for a free evaluation.