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66% of businesses will accept discount on invoices in exchange for faster payment,
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 — 17:21:43 (UTC)
Cash flow is king: Two-thirds of businesses would trade margin for speed in a volatile trading environment
● Two-thirds (66%) of businesses are now willing to accept a discount on their invoices in exchange for faster payment, as liquidity outranks profit margins in a volatile market.
● The shift comes as on-time payments continue to slide, with only 37% of invoices currently paid on time, a drop from 42% in 2024. San Francisco, California, 25 February 2026: With supply chain planning now a central pillar of business growth, SAP Taulia’s annual supplier survey, based on data from 10,854 responses, reveals a significant shift in corporate financial strategy.¹ Two-thirds (66%) of businesses are now willing to accept a discount on their invoices in exchange for faster payment, signalling a proactive approach to working capital management as macroeconomic pressures mount.
This willingness to trade margin for speed comes as payment delays accelerate globally. Currently, only 37% of invoices are paid on time, a steady decline from 42% in 2024 and a sharp drop from the 54% recorded in 2019. For those facing delays, the timeframe is also creeping upward, with 18% of suppliers now waiting between 1–15 days past the due date, compared with 17% last year.
The squeeze on margins
The need for reliable cash conversion is being amplified by external economic factors. While one in four businesses (25%) report that rising tariffs are directly squeezing their profit margins, timing of payments over the full face value of the invoice still has higher priority as cash flow is crucial to maintaining business operations.
Despite this pressure, there remains a notable gap in financial visibility within many organizations. One-fifth (20%) of businesses surveyed admitted they do not use external sources of finance, suggesting an opportunity to better align available financing options with immediate liquidity needs.
Diversifying the capital mix
Among those using external finance, businesses are diversifying their liquidity sources by incorporating a variety of tools. Virtual or credit cards (22%), early payment programs (16%), and lines of credit (16%) rank among the top five most used options to bridge the gap.
While the share of suppliers who receive early payments from buyers has remained stable year-on-year at 3%, the fact that 66% of businesses are happy to accept a discount to access cash sooner underscores a strong demand for flexible, lower-cost options that provide immediate liquidity.
Resilience through liquidity
In an environment where supply chain planning is essential for survival, the ability to convert receivables into cash quickly has become a competitive advantage. The data highlights a growing trend of front-foot management, where suppliers are no longer waiting for buyers to dictate terms but are actively seeking ways to shore up their balance sheets.
Peddy Hashemi, Global Head of Customer Success at SAP Taulia comments: “Across our network, we are seeing that in today’s volatile environment, cash flow is increasingly prioritized over price. Suppliers are reassessing every available lever, from early payment programs to alternative financing, to maintain operations and protect supply chain stability. Our research indicates that the decline in on-time payments is continuing, which makes the need for reliable and predictable cash conversion more critical than ever. In this context, buyers that can consistently offer on-time or early payment will be recognized not just as customers, but as true strategic partners.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The SAP Taulia supplier survey was conducted between 5th-27th November 2025, receiving 10,854 responses from 10,509 unique supplier companies spanning 129 countries.
About SAP Taulia
SAP Taulia, a global fintech leader, delivers AI-powered working capital solutions that unlock liquidity and drive supply chain resilience. With a global network of 40+ funding partners and over $990 billion in annual transaction volumes, SAP Taulia offers the most comprehensive set of working capital management tools in the industry - seamlessly embedded into SAP’s Business Suite. Trusted by global leaders like Airbus, Red Bull, T-Mobile, and Bridgestone, SAP Taulia’s reliable and innovative platform empowers businesses to accelerate cash flow and unlock growth opportunities at scale.
Experience the future of finance with SAP Taulia: taulia.com/.
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Source: Company press release. 
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