New Research Finds 8 In 10 Buyers In The UK And EU Now Use AI Payments
Finance teams across Europe and the UK are currently managing economic challenges, regulatory changes, and increased buyer expectations. A study conducted by TreviPay and Censuswide indicates that payment and invoicing processes are now as influential in…
Finance teams across Europe and the UK are currently managing economic challenges, regulatory changes, and increased buyer expectations. A study conducted by TreviPay and Censuswide indicates that payment and invoicing processes are now as influential in supplier selection as price and product offerings.
The research surveyed 550 B2B buyers in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Australia from November 18 to November 26, 2025. The findings suggest that buyers prioritize efficient checkout processes, accurate invoicing, and payment terms aligned with their cash flow needs.
According to the report, 82% of the participants consider invoice customization critical when selecting suppliers, with Spain showing the highest percentage at 93%. Additionally, 67% emphasize the importance of having trade credit terms such as 30, 60, or 90 days.
Impact of Friction in Payment Processes
The report highlights that inefficiencies in the order-to-cash process can deter buyers. Issues identified include incorrect invoices (30%), limited ERP integration (31%), inconsistent invoice formats (31%), and delays in approval workflows (34%).
Payment options also present challenges, with more than half of the respondents experiencing issues due to inadequate payment methods or terms. In Germany, 76% of buyers reported difficulties, compared to 37% in Spain.
Finance teams across Europe and the UK are currently managing economic challenges, regulatory changes, and increased buyer expectations.
Furthermore, 47% of businesses actively seek invoice payment options for repeat transactions. Larger enterprises prioritize ERP integration and purchase controls, while mid-sized firms value speed and flexibility.
According to the Censuswide survey, nearly 80% of buyers frequently use AI technologies in purchasing and payment processes. Spain shows a significant interest in leveraging advanced data insights for decision-making (26%), in contrast to Germany (13%).
Larger enterprises are more inclined to use AI for streamlining processes and minimizing manual tasks (20%). Companies with 100 to 200 employees report a 9% usage rate. Reasons for AI investment include improved decision intelligence (20%), enhanced fraud prevention and risk management (16%), and reduced manual tasks.
AI adoption varies by country due to differing compliance and regulatory requirements. In Germany, compliance concerns lead to cautious adoption, whereas buyers in France and Germany value AI for invoice status visibility and automatic matching of invoices to purchase orders.
The study identifies five priorities for suppliers to address, including diverse payment options beyond credit cards, system integration with accounts payable, consistent buying experiences across channels, pricing and purchasing controls, and accelerated onboarding.
Over half of the respondents (54%) indicate that invoicing factors increase their likelihood of making repeat purchases. Flexibility in invoicing schedules and customization is crucial for 80% of buyers when selecting a supplier.
The data suggests that suppliers focusing on accurate, flexible, and automated payment systems are more likely to secure repeat business.
Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.