Research conducted by MasterCard, with Kaiser Associates, on the buying habits of corporate purchasing managers to evaluate the effect of card acceptance on corporate purchasing found that card acceptance can lead to increased revenue for card-accepting suppliers.
When considering strategic options to help grow revenue and increase customer loyalty, organisations often neglect to consider changes to revenue receiving methods, in favour of product innovation and brand-awareness campaigns. This is an oversight, as changing a company’s payment-receiving process can provide strategic advantage over its competitors.
MasterCard found four revenue benefits for suppliers; increased volume per customer, greater revenue consistency, increased likelihood of initial vendor selection and decreased customer churn.
REVENUE BENEFIT #1: Increased volume per customer
Many suppliers already know that buyers appreciate the value that cards offer, however, many suppliers do not appreciate the extent to which buyers would alter their spending habits to realise this value – customers are more likely to increase purchasing volume with a previously non-accepting supplier, once they start accepting cards. Data from the study indicates that this increase in volume is owed to three key drivers:
1. Buyer interest in consolidating suppliers: Card acceptance is a significant decision driver for buyers considering vendor consolidation opportunities.
2. Buyer willingness to substitute card for early-pay discount: Suppliers lose top-line revenue when offering early-pay discounts in order to incentivise speedy payment. By accepting cards at the point of purchase, even speedier payments can be achieved, and without a reduction in price for the supplier.
3. Facilitation of ad-hoc purchasing: Cards provide a level of control and fraud prevention that is often beyond what traditional payment methods can offer. An example of de-centralised purchasing occurs when a manager circumvents the traditional procurement processes, most often in the case of a time-sensitive purchase. By accepting cards, suppliers make themselves more accessible for this type of purchasing.
REVENUE BENEFIT #2: Greater revenue consistency
Paying with cards enables a more streamlined purchasing process for buyers. The streamlining effect comes from removing multiple manual processes, such as the need to write a cheque, or match an invoice to a payment. Data suggests that cards streamline the payment process so much that they encourage buyers to purchase more frequently from their suppliers.
REVENUE BENEFIT #3: Increased likelihood of initial vendor selection
Buyers’ preference for using cards leads them to seek out card-accepting suppliers. This effect was observed across all spend categories and was strongest in non-strategic spend categories. The top four spend categories with the greatest supplier selection effect owed to card acceptance were fuel, travel, office equipment and printing services.
Adding card acceptance to a firm’s capability list has proven to be a simple way to increase competitiveness, the research noted.
REVENUE BENEFIT #4: Decreased customer churn
Suppliers appealing to buyers’ preference for using cards for purchases may see an increase in customer satisfaction. Managers in the study indicated that an increase in satisfaction would increase relationship longevity by over 60%. Card acceptance can thus facilitate considerable growth in the lifetime value of customers.
Why do buyers prefer cards?
• Purchasing control: Cards provide for protection against unintended and fraudulent purchases, errors and misuse by employees.
• Level-three data: Data provided at the line-item detail level allows for efficient reconciliation, tracking of purchases, and oversight of compliance.
• Payment float: Card billing cycles lengthen the gap between the time of purchase and the time of cash disbursement – helping to achieve lower working capital requirements.
• Streamlined enrolment: Eliminating trade credit mitigates the need for a vendor-sponsored background credit check – thereby streamlining the vendor enrolment process.
The research conducted in this study reveals that buyer decision-making and purchasing habits are influenced considerably by the card-acceptance status of a supplier. By opening up card acceptance as a payment option for business customers, suppliers can position themselves to earn higher revenue and better compete against their non-accepting competitors.
