A groundbreaking survey by the Brazilian Chamber of Digital Economy (camara-e.net), in partnership with the consulting firm Gmattos, reveals that bank slips registered their worst historical performance in March, being accepted by only 27% of the monitored stores.
In 2021, bank slips were accepted by 85% of stores—a level that has been consistently falling to reach the current 27%, a historical low. During the same period, debit cards remained practically stable, around 15%, while Pix (Brazil's instant payment system) advanced continuously and consolidated its leadership among cash payment methods.
The survey shows that the current focus of e-commerce is on expanding credit lines as a sales driver. The offering of installment payments with interest on credit cards reached a record 35% among online businesses in the first quarter of 2026.
The study also assesses that, although only about 10% of customers who pay by card opt for installment payments with interest, these sales would not occur without the option of long-term installment payments.
This flexible credit movement is also driving alternatives outside the credit card ecosystem. The direct installment plan model and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) are gaining traction, exemplified by innovations in the airline sector.
In the field of payment facilitation, Click to Pay – which enables payment with one click – maintained its acceptance rate stagnant at 5.1%, indicating that the widespread adoption of this payment method at checkout remains a challenge in the country.
Promotions
Beyond payment methods, the data provides a snapshot of promotional strategies in March 2026, marked by a decrease in the aggressiveness of discounts. The survey indicates that 40% of stores limited their offers to a maximum discount of 60%, a scenario quite different from the 15% recorded during the last Black Friday. Discounts above 80% plummeted and were found in only 1.7% of e-commerce sites, compared to 20% during the same promotional period in November.
To compensate for this reduction, retailers focused on logistics. The offer of free shipping was the highlight, present in 10.2% of stores, a volume almost three times greater than that measured at the beginning of the year.
Methodology
The Gmattos Payment Study monitors the main online stores every two months since January 2021. The stores observed, from various segments, are representative of the market, corresponding to more than 80% of online sales in Brazil. The observation criteria have remained the same since its inception, ensuring a solid basis for comparisons, trend analysis, and identification of promotional practices and payment methods.
