29 July 2020 (Dublin) – Elavon, a global payments leader, is helping small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reopen by offering new eCommerce and point-of-sale (POS) solutions as consumer behaviour changes in response to COVID-19.
According to a recent Elavon-commissioned survey with Ipsos Mori, spending habits and customer journeys are evolving with more people seeking contactless payments and shopping online. Elavon’s capabilities in digital commerce were extended earlier this year with its acquisition of Sage Pay, which will now be called Opayo.
AMore than half of Irish consumers (57%) say they plan to prioritise spending on outings such as day trips, dining at restaurants and meeting friends at the pub in coming months, according to the June survey on consumer spending priorities. As businesses reopen in Ireland, the findings demonstrate the importance of considering consumer interactions to promote health and safety, full customer journeys as well as maintaining superior customer service.
The processes for booking tables and rooms online, ordering food and paying for services is central to trading in these new business conditions. These are some of the capabilities Elavon offers through Opayo.
Almost two-thirds of consumers (59%) also said that they would actively seek to use cards and contactless payments following the pandemic, confirming the need for businesses to be set up to manage an accelerated pace of evolution in customer shopping habits and payments preferences.
The survey found that almost half of consumers (49%) increased their spending online, and businesses had to move fast to match demand.
Elavon has helped SMEs to adapt and increase online sales by moving to eCommerce amidst the closure of physical stores and businesses. The number of businesses enquiring about eCommerce solutions rose 30% in May and 52% in June year-on-year reflecting an increased desire to bring their businesses online and diversify the way they serve consumers.[1]
We have also assisted SMEs to facilitate social distancing at point-of-sale and reduce the need to handle cash. At physical stores in Ireland, we have supported higher contactless transaction limits at terminals, increased acceptance of digital wallets, and helped customers take payments over the phone and by email.
In March 2020, Elavon completed the acquisition of Sage Pay from FTSE-listed business Sage Group. Now Opayo, the rebranding reflects the increased focus on the expansion of the SME customer base and expertise in payments and eCommerce solutions across a wide range of sectors. The new Opayo name will be communicated across Ireland in a campaign called Tomorrow Together. In 2019, Sage Pay’s payments gateway processed more than 700 million transactions for over 50,000 merchants, online and in-store.
Eric Horgan, Head of Product of Elavon Europe, said:
“Businesses will need to consider their payments strategy at the core of their reopening strategy. Elavon and Sage Pay’s expertise support businesses with the right payment and eCommerce solutions to get them back on track and remain resilient in challenging market conditions.”
Sean Wilson, Managing Director, Opayo, said:
“This is an important time to be a trusted payments provider. As Opayo, Elavon will continue to help our customers to continue to grow, adapt and innovate. We look forward to combining our eCommerce expertise for SMEs with Elavon’s strength as a leading merchant acquirer, and helping our customers and partners adapt their businesses to be more resilient.”
[1] Sales data from Opayo, 2Q2020
About Elavon
Elavon is a leading global payments company with more than 4,300 employees and operations in 10 countries. A subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), Elavon provides businesses with the technology needed to accept payments from customers, whether they are shopping in stores, at home or on the go. Its platform is distinctive in that it is common across countries, making it easier for businesses to get their payment system up and running quickly and securely.
Elavon Financial Services DAC, trading as Elavon Merchant Services, is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland and the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available from us on request.
Contact: Julieanne Murray, Julieanne.Murray@elavon.com