Data-driven trends for your small business
Canadian consumer behavior and payment insights for small businesses. Discover how these emerging trends can inform your strategies and help supercharge growth.


Trend 01
Mobile, tap, go: Why Gen Z is ditching the wallet
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Trend 02
Security concerns: Rise of the data-wary consumer
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Trend 03
Out with the old: How digitization fuels business growth
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Trend 01
Mobile, tap, go: Why Gen Z is ditching the wallet
Gen Z is rewriting the rules of spending, and understanding this cashless generation is key to future success for small business owners. Facing a unique set of economic challenges, Gen Z is prioritizing financial literacy and mindful spending, seeking control and flexibility with their money. They embrace a digital-first approach to spending, favouring options like debit cards, tap-and-go, and mobile wallets — ditching cash at a rate that outpaces any previous generation.
To capture this emerging generation of consumers, small businesses need to adapt and offer seamless digital payment options. This includes prioritizing debit card acceptance and ensuring a smooth and user-friendly mobile wallet experience.
Gen Z is leading the mobile wallet revolution, with 7 in 10 of Canadian Gen Z surveyed already onboard1
Gen Z
0%
Millennials
0%
Gen X
0%
Boomers
0%
6 in 10
Gen Z Canadians surveyed are comfortable leaving their physical wallet at home for quick errands2
63%
of all Canadians surveyed expect that it will soon be normal to leave home without a physical wallet3


Trend 02
Security concerns: Rise of the data-wary consumer
Canadians are increasingly uneasy about their data privacy, with many feeling vulnerable and feeling they have less control in a digital world that’s becoming increasingly complex. While they expect businesses to protect their information, many doubt the effectiveness of current measures.
The demand for enhanced security is fueling the rise of digital verification tools such as those offered by Interac Verified. Business leaders recognize that such solutions are crucial, not only for protecting customer data but also for making organizations safer for employees.
0%
of Canadians surveyed feel their personal data is more exposed than ever7
0%
of Canadians surveyed believe current data protection measures aren't enough8
0%
of business leaders surveyed see digital verification as a way of protecting customer data9

3 in 4
Canadians surveyed expect businesses to have consumer protection measures in place10

4 in 5
business leaders surveyed agree that digital verification solutions make their organization safer for employees11


Trend 03
Out with the old: How digitization fuels business growth
Time and money are a small business owner's most precious resources, yet many lack confidence in managing them effectively. And as inflation squeezes margins, ditching outdated, time-consuming processes for more innovative solutions is critical for your bottom line.
Digital transformation, like adopting Interac Debit and Interac e-Transfer for payments, can empower businesses to streamline operations, freeing up time and resources for higher-value tasks. By embracing digital tools, small business owners can gain better control of their finances, boost confidence, and unlock their growth potential.
Only 15%
of Canadian entrepreneurs surveyed feel confident managing their business finances from day one12
53
of financial decision-makers surveyed are bogged down with transactional processes — time that could be spent on growth13
3 out of 4
Canadian businesses surveyed plan to ditch cheques within the next 5 years14
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