Diversity of online payment methods influence online consumer behavior and boleto reaches a historical low of 27% in e-commerce, reveals camara-e.net

An unprecedented survey by the Brazilian Chamber of Digital Economy (camara-e.net), in partnership with the consultancy Gmattos, reveals that the bank slip recorded its worst historical performance in March, being accepted by 27% of the monitored stores.

In 2021, the bank slip was accepted by 85% of the stores IO level that has been falling consistently until reaching the current 27%, the historical low. In the same period, the debit card remained practically stable, in the range of 15%, while the Pix has advanced continuously and consolidated its leadership among the means of cash payment.

The survey shows that the current focus of the e-commerce it is in the expansion of credit lines as a sales engine. The offer of installments with interest on the credit card reached the record of 35% of virtual establishments in the first quarter of 2026.

The study also evaluates that, although only about 10% of card-paying customers opt for installment payments with interest, these sales would not occur without the option of long-term installment.

This flexible credit movement also drives alternatives outside the card ecosystem.The direct credit model and the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) (BNPL) 2 buy now, pay later, translated into Portuguese (SE, gain strength, with example of innovations in the airline industry.

In the field of payment facilitation, the Click to Pay ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ allows payment for one click, maintained its stagnant acceptance rate at 5.1%, indicating that the massification of the modality at the time of closing the purchase is still a challenge in the country.

Promotions 

In addition to the means of payment, the data bring an x ray of promotional strategies of March 2026, marked by a retraction in the aggressiveness of discounts. The survey points out that 40% of stores limited their offers to a ceiling of 60% discount, a very different scenario from the 15% recorded on the last Black Friday. Discounts above 80% plummeted and were found in only 1.7% of e-commerces, against 20% in the same promotional period in November.

To compensate for this reduction, retail bet on logistics. The free shipping offer was the highlight, present in 10.2% of stores, a volume almost three times higher than that measured at the beginning of the year.

Methodology

The Gmattos de Paidamentos Study monitors the main online stores, every 2 months since January 2021. The observed stores, from various segments, are representative of the market, corresponding to more than 80% of online sales in Brazil. The observation criterion is the same since its origin, ensuring support for comparisons the analysis of trends and identification of promotional practices and means of payment.