Gen Z is setting the new standards

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Old-school marketing playbooks that segmented audiences by age and targeted vague interest groups are relics of the past. The e-commerce ecosystem has been completely overhauled—and now, Gen Z is setting the new standards.

Gen Z, the generation born between the late 1990s and mid-2010s, is not merely a consumer segment; they are a formidable economic force reshaping culture and business. Unlike previous generations who gradually adapted to digital advancements, Gen Z has grown up as digital natives, with technology seamlessly integrated into their lives. This upbringing has fostered an expectation for seamless, hyper-personalized digital experiences, upending traditional shopping norms. From the tailored recommendations of Spotify to the one-click convenience of Amazon, they expect a frictionless, intuitive experience at every touchpoint—including payments. 

Unlike previous generations, who relied on cash, checks, and traditional banking, Gen Z is driving a shift toward a cashless, digital-first economy, reshaping both retail and payments. With a market size of $360 billion in the U.S. alone, and global spending power projected to reach $12 trillion by 2030, businesses that fail to meet these expectations risk becoming irrelevant.

Meet Gen Z Planet 

A comprehensive January 2025 study, led by renowned Gen Z Planet founder Hana Ban-Shabat and bestselling author, helps business leaders prepare for the next generation of culture creators, employees, and consumers. In this role, Hana combines her passion for insights with her commitment to supporting the integration of the next generation into both society and business. As an award-winning management consultant, named one of the “Top 25 Consultants” by Consulting Magazine, Hana is a sought-after speaker and business commentator. She is also the author of Gen Z 360: Preparing for the Inevitable Change in Culture, Work, and Commerce.

Insights from a research done by our research and product team at Bounce, which surveyed 450 U.S. and 425 U.K. respondents aged 18–28, reveal emerging trends in online shopping and digital payments among this generation. The data highlights significant patterns in how this demographic engages with e-commerce and online transactions, primarily focusing on U.S. behaviors with notable comparisons to the U.K. market:

A dramatic shift in payment preference

The research highlights Gen Z's dramatic shift in payment preferences: 

  • 75% of Gen Z are using dedicated shopping apps
  • More than 50% of Gen Z shop online at least once a week with "38.7% shopping multiple times per week.
  • Payment flexibility is key – while 43.1% will try another payment method if their preferred option isn't available
  • Nearly 25% will cancel subscriptions immediately when payment fails.
  • Social media plays a crucial role, with 36% of Gen Z shopping through social media, and 55% using mobile browsers

Payment Trends: US vs UK

  • Rewards and cashback are significantly more important in the US market (39.2%) compared to the UK market (24.6%) when choosing payment methods
  • UK consumers are less likely to submit transaction disputes, with 31.2% never submitting a dispute compared to only 20.3% of US consumers
  • This suggests US consumers are more rewards-driven and more proactive about resolving transaction issues

Join Bounce's masterclass: “Winning Gen Z” Webinar

To help businesses navigate this shifting landscape, Bounce & Tipalti are hosting an exclusive webinar featuring Hana Ben-Shabat. The masterclass will provide:

  • The six proven strategies to capture Gen Z
  • Gen Z monetization guidelines for marketing, product, and finance teams
  • How smooth influencer payments play a key role in meeting Gen Z expectations
  • Key findings from our latest Gen Z payment preferences survey

The future is now: Register to get the full E-book

With Gen Z's $360 billion buying power, this is more than just another trend—it's a fundamental shift in commerce. The businesses that adapt will thrive, while those that don't will be left behind. Don't miss this opportunity to gain crucial insights into the future of e-commerce. Register now to access to our exclusive e-book with all the data, expert analysis, and actionable strategies that will help your business thrive in the Gen Z era.

‍

Old-school marketing playbooks that segmented audiences by age and targeted vague interest groups are relics of the past. The e-commerce ecosystem has been completely overhauled—and now, Gen Z is setting the new standards.

Gen Z, the generation born between the late 1990s and mid-2010s, is not merely a consumer segment; they are a formidable economic force reshaping culture and business. Unlike previous generations who gradually adapted to digital advancements, Gen Z has grown up as digital natives, with technology seamlessly integrated into their lives. This upbringing has fostered an expectation for seamless, hyper-personalized digital experiences, upending traditional shopping norms. From the tailored recommendations of Spotify to the one-click convenience of Amazon, they expect a frictionless, intuitive experience at every touchpoint—including payments. 

Unlike previous generations, who relied on cash, checks, and traditional banking, Gen Z is driving a shift toward a cashless, digital-first economy, reshaping both retail and payments. With a market size of $360 billion in the U.S. alone, and global spending power projected to reach $12 trillion by 2030, businesses that fail to meet these expectations risk becoming irrelevant.

Meet Gen Z Planet 

A comprehensive January 2025 study, led by renowned Gen Z Planet founder Hana Ban-Shabat and bestselling author, helps business leaders prepare for the next generation of culture creators, employees, and consumers. In this role, Hana combines her passion for insights with her commitment to supporting the integration of the next generation into both society and business. As an award-winning management consultant, named one of the “Top 25 Consultants” by Consulting Magazine, Hana is a sought-after speaker and business commentator. She is also the author of Gen Z 360: Preparing for the Inevitable Change in Culture, Work, and Commerce.

Insights from a research done by our research and product team at Bounce, which surveyed 450 U.S. and 425 U.K. respondents aged 18–28, reveal emerging trends in online shopping and digital payments among this generation. The data highlights significant patterns in how this demographic engages with e-commerce and online transactions, primarily focusing on U.S. behaviors with notable comparisons to the U.K. market:

A dramatic shift in payment preference

The research highlights Gen Z's dramatic shift in payment preferences: 

  • 75% of Gen Z are using dedicated shopping apps
  • More than 50% of Gen Z shop online at least once a week with "38.7% shopping multiple times per week.
  • Payment flexibility is key – while 43.1% will try another payment method if their preferred option isn't available
  • Nearly 25% will cancel subscriptions immediately when payment fails.
  • Social media plays a crucial role, with 36% of Gen Z shopping through social media, and 55% using mobile browsers

Payment Trends: US vs UK

  • Rewards and cashback are significantly more important in the US market (39.2%) compared to the UK market (24.6%) when choosing payment methods
  • UK consumers are less likely to submit transaction disputes, with 31.2% never submitting a dispute compared to only 20.3% of US consumers
  • This suggests US consumers are more rewards-driven and more proactive about resolving transaction issues

Join Bounce's masterclass: “Winning Gen Z” Webinar

To help businesses navigate this shifting landscape, Bounce & Tipalti are hosting an exclusive webinar featuring Hana Ben-Shabat. The masterclass will provide:

  • The six proven strategies to capture Gen Z
  • Gen Z monetization guidelines for marketing, product, and finance teams
  • How smooth influencer payments play a key role in meeting Gen Z expectations
  • Key findings from our latest Gen Z payment preferences survey

The future is now: Register to get the full E-book

With Gen Z's $360 billion buying power, this is more than just another trend—it's a fundamental shift in commerce. The businesses that adapt will thrive, while those that don't will be left behind. Don't miss this opportunity to gain crucial insights into the future of e-commerce. Register now to access to our exclusive e-book with all the data, expert analysis, and actionable strategies that will help your business thrive in the Gen Z era.

‍

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Growth Marketing
0
AI-powered retail: Your guide to 2025

The global artificial intelligence (AI) market is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating a rise from $196.63 billion in 2023 to approximately $826.70 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.6% Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing e-commerce by enabling businesses to adapt and innovate at unprecedented speeds. From crafting hyper-personalized shopping journeys to deploying real-time logistics solutions, AI is enhancing how companies interact with customers and optimize their operations. For example, personalization, powered by machine learning algorithms, can drive up to a 15% increase in revenue. Meanwhile, AI-driven logistics are reducing delivery times and improving inventory accuracy, addressing the rising consumer demand for faster fulfillment. This shift is not just about improving individual touchpoints but about redefining the entire customer journey, from product discovery to post-purchase engagement.

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4 AI Solutions in action you should implement to your e-commerce business  

Innovative companies are leveraging AI to address critical pain points in e-commerce. These companies are at the core of e-commerce innovation. Here are some trending companies you need to know:

  • Chargebee: With its Retention AI feature, Chargebee predicts customer churn and delivers actionable strategies to boost retention.
  • ActiveCampaign: This platform uses generative AI to create highly personalized marketing campaigns, fostering deeper customer engagement
  •  Vizit: leverages visual AI to optimize product imagery, increasing relevance and conversions by tailoring visuals to audience preferences.
  • Bounce: False payment declines cost businesses $118 billion annually in lost revenue. Bounce's AI-powered technology instantly recovers over 30% of these declined transactions by automatically identifying and approving legitimate payments in real-time. 

Challenges and risks in the AI era 

Despite AI's promise, its implementation presents several challenges. Businesses must navigate growing concerns around data privacy and comply with stringent regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Integration hurdles can lead to inefficiencies when advanced AI tools are added to outdated systems. Additionally, misaligned applications—such as poorly configured chatbots or irrelevant recommendations—can frustrate rather than engage customers.

The consequences of delaying AI adoption are significant. Companies risk falling behind competitors who are using AI to create seamless, efficient, and engaging customer experiences. To stay competitive, businesses must address these barriers head-on and embrace AI's potential to drive innovation and growth.

Bounce security and scalability

Returning to Bounce, our AI solution goes beyond addressing the problem of false payment declines. False declines are more than a revenue issue—they are a trust issue. Research shows that 41% of customers who experience a false decline never return to the merchant, compounding the financial damage with long-term customer attrition.

Bounce tackles this issue with a real-time AI payment recovery system that identifies and resolves legitimate transactions incorrectly flagged as fraudulent. The system seamlessly integrates into existing payment infrastructures, recovering over 30% of declined transactions without requiring customer intervention. By reducing cart abandonment, Bounce not only recaptures lost revenue but also strengthens customer loyalty and trust.

What sets Bounce apart is its commitment to security and scalability. Its compliance with global privacy standards ensures sensitive payment data is protected, while its frictionless integration minimizes operational disruption. Businesses using Bounce have reported up to a 5% increase in overall revenue and significant improvements in customer satisfaction and retention metrics.

Ready to transform your checkout experience and reclaim lost revenue? Schedule your demo today to see how Bounce can help your business thrive in a competitive 2025’s  e-commerce landscape.

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Growth Marketing
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Beyond customer churn: turning failed subscription renewals into revenue
We knew we were losing tens of thousands of dollars in potential revenue each month. We needed a trustworthy solution to optimize the signup subscription process

‍(Roie Shiloah | Head of Growth  Simply)

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Up to the 20th century, subscriptions were primarily limited to traditional industries like newspapers, magazines, and utilities. However, in the 21st century, subscription models have transformed, expanding into digital media, software, and physical goods, making customer retention and renewal rates critical for profitability. The subscription economy has grown significantly, with a global market size valued at $650 billion in 2020 and projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2025. While subscription-based businesses represent a booming industry, they also face unique challenges, particularly maintaining strong renewal rates. When renewal rates drop, more customers leave the service, directly impacting the bottom line. (e2open.com, thestrategystory.com, statista.com) If you’re managing a subscription business, boosting retention by just 5% could potentially increase your profits by 25% to25% to 95%  . However, despite these stakes, many companies overlook the impact of churn and fail to calculate retention metrics—leading to unanticipated revenue losses. Knowing how renewal rates and churn affect growth and sustainability is crucial, yet many businesses are unaware of their true impact.

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How leading companies tackle customer churn

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To combat customer churn, successful companies use tailored strategies. Here’s how some well-known brands are keeping their customers engaged and loyal:

  • Personalized customer engagement: Netflix enhances user experience by providing personalized recommendations, keeping customers engaged and loyal.
  • Loyalty programs: Amazon Prime offers members benefits like free shipping, exclusive deals, and access to streaming services, fostering customer loyalty.
  • Flexible subscription options: Spotify offers various subscription tiers, including family and student plans, allowing users to choose options that best fit their needs and budgets, thereby reducing churn.

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These approaches show how leading companies customize their strategies to reduce churn effectively. But while valuable, these methods often miss a critical factor: payment issues—a hidden but severe contributor to churn rates.

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Bounce Holistic: a proven solution for subscription renewals

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Bounce’s Holistic solution is designed to tackle one of the most pressing issues in subscription renewals— false credit card payment decline. By analyzing thousands of data points, Bounce’s ML algorithm identifies the reasons behind failed renewals, allowing businesses to recover up to 30% of transactions that would otherwise be lost due to card declines. This proactive approach will reduce churn by 15% and comes with a detailed dashboard that enables clients to observe and effectively address subscription payment issues.

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Simply, formerly known as JoyTune, is a global subscription service that faced a significant challenge: 20% of users who downloaded their Piano app and attempted to subscribe were declined due to payment issues. To address this, Simply partnered with Bounce, implementing a machine learning-powered solution to identify and recover incorrectly flagged sign-up subscribers. This collaboration resulted in a 5% increase in total sign-up revenues and a 2% growth in end-of-trial charges and renewals. Bounce’s subscription payment recovery services effectively reduced false declines, enhancing Simply’s customer acquisition and retention efforts. 

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Achieve better renewal rates and key metrics with payment recovery services

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With Bounce Holistic, your business can achieve significant improvements in renewal rates and key metrics without adding budget strain or operational complexity. Discover how you can enhance your revenue and stabilize your growth—book a demo today to see Bounce in action!

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Growth Marketing
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Credit card decline rate: The hidden revenue killer for e-commerce
Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."

  Aldous Huxley

A silent and often underestimated issue is likely eroding your revenue: your credit card decline rate. This rate, the percentage of legitimate customer transactions rejected by payment processors, is more than a minor inconvenience; industry data shows that billions are lost annually due to these "silent declines." This isn’t just about inconvenienced customers; it’s a tangible drain on your bottom line that demands attention. However, the fact remains that ignoring your credit card decline rate doesn’t make the loss any less significant.

What are credit card decline rates?   

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While each instance of a credit card decline represents a lost sales opportunity, the overall credit card decline rate can be misleading if not examined closely within the context of your specific online business. Generally, businesses across various sectors may experience decline rates between 5% and 15%. However, within the e-commerce practice, these numbers tend to be noticeably higher due to the inherent risks of online transactions.

The financial impact of false declines remains substantial. In 2023, it was estimated that as many as seven in ten transactions rejected by merchants may have been false declines, leading to significant revenue losses.  In the U.S. alone, $157 billion in eCommerce sales were at risk due to false declines in 2023, with $81 billion projected to be lost. In contrast, global credit card fraud losses reached a record $33 billion in 2022, with $13.6 billion of those losses occurring in the United States.  This indicates that losses from false declines continue to surpass those from credit card fraud, underscoring the importance for merchants to balance fraud prevention with minimizing false declines.

For example, businesses selling physical goods might experience slightly lower rates compared to those offering digital goods. This is primarily due to the immediate delivery and consumption of digital products, which leaves little time for thorough fraud verification, leading merchants to implement stricter fraud detection measures. Consequently, these stringent measures can result in higher rates of false declines. Notably, subscription-based e-commerce models often face pronounced challenges, with decline rates potentially exceeding 20% or even reaching 30% in some cases. This is often attributed to the recurring nature of billing, where expired cards or insufficient funds can lead to involuntary churn. 

Businesses facing high credit card decline rates often see signs such as abandoned carts, frustrated customers unable to complete their purchases, and a drop in repeat buyers due to poor payment experiences. These lost transactions represent a delicate balance merchants must strike between preventing fraud and ensuring legitimate customers can successfully complete their payments. The cost of retargeting these lost customers is high, both in terms of marketing expenses and the potential damage to customer trust. Addressing this challenge requires merchants to carefully optimize fraud detection systems, minimize false declines, and maintain availability for legitimate transactions—all while keeping operational costs and customer satisfaction in check.

Bounce's specifically designed solution 

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The good news for online shop owners is that these often-crippling credit card decline rates aren't an insurmountable obstacle. Solutions like Bounce are specifically designed to tackle this challenge head-on.

 Bounce leverages a sophisticated Machine Learning (ML) model that continuously analyzes transaction data to identify and recover potentially lost revenue due to declined payments.

Bounce does more than just recover declined payments; it provides a comprehensive payment optimization approach, including real-time payment analysis. 

These are Bounce’s results

  • Reduce Churn: Experience a 15% reduction in churn, leading to improved customer retention.
  • Increase Signups: Achieve a 10% increase in signups by ensuring more legitimate transactions are approved.
  • Improve Authentication: Benefit from a 7% lift in authentication rates, streamlining the customer experience.
  • Boost Repeat Buyers: See 50% more repeat buyers, indicating stronger customer loyalty.
  • Enhance Lifetime Value: Realize a 1.5x increase in customer lifetime value, driving long-term profitability.
  • Drive Top-Line Growth: Achieve an average of 5% top-line growth as a result of these combined improvements. With proven results, Bounce will bring you in the best position and propel your business forward.

Real-world impact: How Bounce Increased revenue for Scale

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‍‍To fully understand the impact of Bounce’s intelligent payment recovery, take the example of Scale, an online company specializing in next-generation health and wellness education and products. Facing a significant 20-30% decline rate on subscription renewals, they implemented Bounce and immediately saw tangible results, boosting their subscription retention by 2.4%. Beyond renewals, Bounce’s ML also tackled Scale’s 10% checkout decline rate, successfully recovering 30% of those failed purchases and delivering an impressive 3-5% revenue uplift. This real-world example powerfully demonstrates how Bounce translates into concrete gains for online businesses and helps to uncover hidden opportunities.Calculate Your revenue recovery:Ready to stop the hidden drain on your revenue and uncover the potential gains? See exactly how much revenue your business could lose due to credit card declines – and how much Bounce can help you recover. Get your free assessment now at https://www.bounceup.io/absolute-sign-up.

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