This whitepaper, based on independent 2026 research with 500 UK SME decision-makers, examines the persisting gap between merchant needs and payment provider delivery. While 82% of SMEs remain resiliently optimistic about the future, many feel underserved by the payments industry.
The data highlights that cashflow velocity is a major bottleneck, with 19.4% citing slow fund retrieval as their primary pain point. Furthermore, merchants are not a monolith; rather than prioritising cheaper fees or advanced tech, a decisive 51.8% majority rank data security as their ultimate priority. Simultaneously, merchants face mounting pressure to support cross-border commerce - as 53.8% sell globally, and to deliver seamless checkouts featuring diverse options like Buy Now Pay Later.
Ultimately, 40% of merchants do not feel adequately supported by the current payments industry. This whitepaper serves as a strategic roadmap for providers, calling for transparent pricing, faster settlements and robust security architecture to transform standard vendors into genuine business partners.
