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IndustryUpdate

accelerating plans for embedded financial services as BHN brings digital gift cards to TikTok Shop
competitive pressure and consumer expectations con-
tinue rising. Blackhawk Network launched a new in-app digital gift
card experience within TikTok Shop, allowing users to
Adapting to changing customer behavior purchase digital gift cards without leaving the platform.
a top priority for retailers The integration also supports combined purchases of
digital gift cards and physical products within a single
New research from Lloyds Banking Group, detailed in shopping experience. BHN said the offering creates a
the report More Than Checkout: The Role of Payments in new distribution channel for brands by connecting gift
Retail in 2026, found that 91 percent of UK retail busi- card sales to TikTok’s content-driven commerce envi-
ness leaders participating in the study view adapting ronment. Brands can link gift cards directly to products
to changing customer behavior as a strategic priority. featured in creator content and marketing campaigns.
Based on a survey of 1,000 UK retail decision-makers, BHN said the launch supports growing social commerce
the report showed growing demand for faster, more flex- activity, with social commerce revenues projected to
ible checkout experiences alongside stronger operational surpass $1 trillion globally by 2028.
tools such as integrated reporting and payment system
reliability. Lloyds found that retailers surveyed increas- emerchantpay, integrates Visa
ingly see payments as core business infrastructure rather installment payments in UK
than simply transaction processing, with payment flex-
ibility, operational resilience and faster access to funds emerchantpay integrated Visa Instalments Services into
becoming key competitive differentiators. its payment platform, expanding its flexible payment
offerings by enabling UK merchants to offer installment
Most hoteliers use AI daily, but payments at checkout. The solution allows eligible Visa
CS still needs a human touch cardholders to split qualifying purchases into smaller
payments using their existing credit lines, with real-time
New research from Mews found that AI adoption has eligibility checks and repayment terms presented within
become widespread across the hospitality industry, the payment flow. emerchantpay said the integration is
with 98 percent of hoteliers surveyed reporting AI use designed to help merchants reduce checkout friction,
in the past six months. The Mews Hotelier Survey 2026, improve conversion rates and increase average order
conducted across more than 500 global properties, found values. The company cited growing consumer demand
AI is involved in 11 of the 19 most common hotel tasks for flexible payment options, with UK usage of deferred
on average. Researchers also found that revenue growth or installment-based payments rising significantly.
is increasingly becoming a primary focus for AI initia-
tives. Despite strong adoption, however, 59 percent of Global Payments, Lightspeed expand partnership
respondents said front-desk welcomes and check-ins
should remain human-led. Mews also found that while Global Payments renewed and expanded its partner-
ship with Lightspeed DMS, extending a relationship
optimism and trust in AI are high, 41 percent of hoteliers
in the study still lack formal AI policies.. that began in 2009. As part of the expanded agree-
ment, Lightspeed will launch a new embedded pay-
ments offering powered by Global Payments’ Payrix
PARTNERSHIPS Pro technology. The integration will allow dealership
customers to manage payments directly within the
Affirm, Google striving to simplify Lightspeed platform, providing greater visibility, con-
AI shopping payments trol and operational efficiency. Lightspeed serves more
than 4,500 dealerships across the power sports, marine,
Affirm is expanding its collaboration with Google to RV, trailer and golf car industries. Global Payments said
bring its buy now, pay later options into Google Search, the partnership reflects its broader strategy of helping
including AI Mode, and the Gemini app through Google software platforms scale embedded payments and finan-
Pay checkout. The initiative is designed to support cial services without building payments infrastructure
emerging AI-driven commerce experiences by provid- independently.
ing transparent payment terms and real-time eligibil-
ity checks during checkout. Consumers approved for Ingenico, Arrive tackle on-street
Affirm financing will be able to review full payment parking, urban transport
schedules and costs before completing purchases. Affirm
also announced development of early BNPL extensions Ingenico and Arrive formed a strategic partnership
for the Universal Commerce Protocol, an open standard to deliver payment experiences for on-street parking
for agentic commerce. The company said the effort aims kiosks and transport ticket vending machines across
to embed transparency and consumer-focused payment more than 30 countries. The partnership integrates
experiences into AI-powered shopping environments. Ingenico’s self-service payment terminals with Arrive’s
Archipel unattended payment gateway to support urban
mobility infrastructure in outdoor and solar-powered
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