Heading to Payments MAGnified? Let’s connect at booth 314! Book a meeting now February 10–13, 2025, Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, MD.
Is point-of-sale financing a strategic priority in 2025? If so, you’re in good company—78% of merchants highlighted it as a key focus in our latest survey. Our team will be on hand at Payments MAGnified to discuss how we can help you streamline the omnichannel journey, boosting approvals, and delivering an outstanding customer experience.
Discover why our embedded lending platform is the platform of choice for leading merchants. Your customers benefit from greater personalization and choice, while your team enjoys a simple integration and end-to-end control of the lending journey on a single platform.
As we step into 2025, a noticeable trend is on the horizon: the wave of personal device upgrades. The devices that served us during the pandemic—a period marked by rapid digital adaptation—are now showing their age. Whether it’s personal computers, monitors, phones, or other gadgets, many of the tools we relied upon to navigate remote work, virtual learning, and staying connected have reached the end of their optimal lifecycle.
In this article, we’ll explore the key trends shaping consumer demand for personal device upgrades in 2025 and highlight how retailers can empower shoppers to upgrade to make the purchases they desire.
A Pandemic Boom Turning into an Upgrade Opportunity
Between 2020 and 2021, consumer demand for personal devices skyrocketed. With work-from-home setups, virtual meetings, and online schooling becoming the norm, millions invested in technology to stay connected and productive during the pandemic. Fast forward to 2025, and many of those devices are now outdated, less efficient, and struggling to keep pace with today’s software and connectivity demands.
Most device manufacturers often design hardware with a lifespan of three to five years, particularly for phones and laptops. As the devices purchased during the pandemic approach or exceed that threshold, consumers are faced with a choice: repair their aging devices, continue to tolerate diminishing performance, or upgrade to newer, faster, and more capable models.
Why 2025 Could Spark Device Upgrades
1. Evolving Tech Standards
Rapid advancements in technology are leaving older devices behind. The rollout of 5G, improved Wi-Fi 6E standards, and more power-efficient processors, brings significant gains in speed, reliability, and performance. Upgrading to these newer models isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about unlocking smoother, faster, and more reliable technology.
2. Increasing Work and Play Demands
In the post-pandemic era, the boundary between work and personal devices has continued to blur. Hybrid work has become the norm, and the average consumer now demands optimal performance from their laptops, tablets, and smartphones to meet the dual needs of professional productivity and personal entertainment.
3. Affordability Will Shape Consumer Choices
With rising costs in many sectors, affordability will be a key driver of purchase decisions in 2025. Retailers that offer competitive prices and flexible payment options will have a distinct advantage. Retailers that provide point-of-sale (POS) financing solutions, such as 0% or deferred interest programs and that address the full credit spectrum of prime, near-prime, no-credit-required, buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) and B2B programs, are uniquely positioned for significant wins. These solutions allow consumers to spread the cost of new devices over manageable payments, making upgrades more accessible without the burden of upfront expenses.
4. Sustainability and Trade-In Incentives
Eco-conscious consumers are increasingly looking to trade in old devices in return for credit toward new purchases. Manufacturers and retailers offering robust trade-in programs, ensuring old gadgets are recycled responsibly while making upgrades more affordable are gaining favor with sustainability-minded consumers .
5. Rising Consumer Expectations
The rise of AI, augmented reality, and other cutting-edge innovations are becoming more mainstream, but they require hardware capable of running them effectively. Devices bought in 2020 often lack the processing power or graphics capabilities to fully leverage these advancements, creating a clear upgrade imperative.
6. The Buzz Around New Product Launches
The tech world is buzzing with rumors of exciting product launches in 2025. From new foldable laptop designs and next-generation monitors to AI-integrated smartphones, this year is poised to showcase innovations that make upgrading irresistible, even for those whose devices are relatively new. .
Key Devices on the Upgrade List
• Laptops and Desktops: Aging processors, reduced battery life, and limited support for modern software are driving the need for replacements. Upgrades like faster SSDs, advanced GPUs, and improved battery performance are in high demand.
• Monitors: High refresh rates, 4K resolution, and ultrawide displays are becoming the standard for work and gaming, making older monitors feel inadequate.
• Smartphones: Foldable designs, improved camera technology, and AI-powered features are making 2025 an exciting year for smartphone enthusiasts.
• Peripherals: Keyboards, mice, webcams, and docking stations have seen wear and tear over time, pushing consumers to refresh their setups for ergonomics and better functionality.
Retailers and Manufacturers: Positioned for Success
Retailers that adopt affordability-focused strategies, such as competitive pricing, trade-in programs, and point-of-sale financing solutions, are well-positioned to thrive in 2025. By partnering with an embedded lending platform like ChargeAfter, retailers gain access to all POS financing categories and programs—including consumer-focused and B2B solutions—through a single integration.
This streamlined approach enables retailers to offer a variety of financing options, such as buy-now-pay-later plans, installment loans, revolving lines of credit, and leasing options. These solutions make it easier for customers and B2B purchasers alike to upgrade their devices without the burden of significant upfront costs, making high-ticket purchases more accessible . These solutions not only enhance the customer experience by providing flexible payment terms but also capture consumers who might otherwise delay upgrading due to upfront costs.
By leveraging ChargeAfter’s comprehensive platform, retailers can boost sales, improve customer satisfaction, and foster long-term loyalty, all while meeting the diverse needs of modern shoppers.
Conclusion
2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for rethinking the technology we use every day. Whether driven by necessity, innovation, or affordability, this year could spark a significant upgrade cycle. As consumers weigh their options, one thing is certain: the devices we choose today will define how we work, play, and connect in the years ahead.
For retailers and manufacturers, this presents a golden opportunity to align their offerings with consumer needs, by prioritizing affordability, accessibility, and cutting-edge innovation.
So, will 2025 be the year you decide to upgrade? It just might be the perfect time to swap out those pandemic-era devices and step into a new era of performance and connectivity.
About Kevin Lawrence VP Global Lender Relations – Kevin has worked in the banking and finance industry for over a decade. He has worked closely with some of North America’s largest banks, financial institutions, and retailers. Kevin is an expert in embedded consumer financing and B2B financing. He has a deep understanding of current trends and where the industry is heading.
Point-of-sale (POS) financing has become a strategic priority for retailers looking to boost customer satisfaction and increase sales. However, there are common mistakes that can hinder success. In this article we explore how to avoid these pitfalls and maximize the benefits of POS financing.
Shoppers today demand choice, personalization, and convenience in every aspect of their retail experience—yet many merchants fall short when it comes to point-of-sale (POS) financing. A recent survey by ChargeAfter highlighted that despite the integral role that POS financing plays in generating sales revenue, only 1% of merchants agree that they meet the needs of all of their customers. Recognizing the strategic importance of POS financing, 78% of merchants say that point-of-sale financing is a strategic priority for 2025.
The current state of POS financing presents an exciting opportunity for retailers to differentiate themselves. By addressing common pitfalls and implementing smarter, more customer-centric financing strategies, merchants can not only boost approval rates and sales but also build stronger, long-term customer loyalty.
Let’s explore the 5 most common mistakes retailers make with POS financing and how to avoid them.
The 5 Most Common POS Financing Mistakes Retailers Make
Working with a single lender
Ignoring the omnichannel experience
Providing a fragmented customer experience
Overlooking the value of financing data to build customer loyalty
Adding additional lenders without using a platform
Mistake 1: Working With A Single Lender
To cater to their diverse customer base and offer the most favorable lending options, retailers must collaborate with multiple lenders catering to various credit profiles. Lenders typically specialize in specific customer segments, such as prime, near-prime, or subprime, and specific loan products like buy now pay later (BNPL), 0% APR, short/long-term installments, lease-to-own, etc. Additionally, geographical coverage is another aspect, as lenders typically only serve one region.
When a retailer relies solely on a single lender, it poses challenges. For instance, if a shopper is declined for a loan at the checkout stage, they have limited alternatives and are likely to abandon their shopping cart. This results in a lost sale and customer, as they might be deterred from future purchases. Moreover, if the lender with whom the retailer exclusively works changes their terms or ceases operations, they find themselves in a difficult situation without alternative lending options.
Research by Snap Finance published in Yahoo finance in March 2024 reveals that almost 50% of consumers with credit challenges will avoid purchasing from stores that do not supply them with financing options.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the Omnichannel Experience
It’s often said that one should never put all their eggs in one basket, and this is especially true when it comes to the sales experience. Customers are, in the end, individuals with different preferences when making purchases. It is important to offer a consistent experience regardless of how the consumer engages with your business.
Whether your customers are using an app, website, or physical store, they should enjoy a consistent experience, including when it comes to point-of-sale financing, regardless of how they choose to access your services. Shoppers who rely on financing to make a big-ticket purchase, for example buying furniture, will likely prefer to apply for financing online from home before heading to the store with their pre-approval to complete their purchase. This translates into other purchases that customers know they can’t access without financing and where they want to avoid the embarrassment of in-store declines.
To provide a seamless omnichannel experience, it is equally essential to strategically offer point-of-sale financing options across various customer interaction points, not merely at checkout. In-store, this can include QR codes that are displayed throughout the store where customers can apply in advance on their mobile devices, as well as at self-checkout, or at traditional checkouts.
Mistake 3: Providing a fragmented customer experience
While an omnichannel financing experience is critical, it isn’t the only barrier to a fragmented customer journey. When retailers fail to establish a streamlined process for loan applications and approvals, especially when integrating more than one lender into their offer, the result is a frustrating experience for customers.
Consider a shopper applying for a loan at the point of sale, which gets declined. If the retailer offers more than one lending option, the customer who wants to continue looking for a loan has to start the application process all over again with a different lender. This repetition not only adds unnecessary inconvenience and time consumption for the customer but also creates a sense of frustration and confusion.
This poor experience leads to customer dissatisfaction, a loss of trust in the retailer, and potential purchase abandonment. Retailers should prioritize integrating their financing options into a single platform to establish a cohesive process that ensures a seamless customer experience, minimizing the need for multiple loan applications and reducing the likelihood of customer frustration and disengagement.
Jerome’s Furniture, a discount furniture chain store in Southern California, achieved a 67% increase in consumer financing adoption with high approval rates by embracing consumer financing as part of the customer journey with ChargesAfter’s embedded lending platform.
Mistake 4: Overlooking the value of financing data to build customer loyalty
Data about customer financing is an invaluable asset that can help retailers make informed decisions across various aspects of their operations. By harnessing insights derived from customer financing data, retailers can enhance their marketing strategies, identify upselling opportunities, and optimize their lenders.
Customer financing data provides a comprehensive understanding of customer purchasing behavior and preferences. By analyzing this data, retailers gain insights into which products are most commonly financed, the preferred financing options, and the specific factors influencing customers’ decisions. With this knowledge, retailers can tailor their marketing strategies to target the right audience, showcase relevant products, and optimize promotional campaigns to resonate with customers’ financing preferences.
Access to individual shoppers financing data is a powerful way for retailers to build personalized customer relationships and highlights upselling opportunities. By analyzing shoppers purchasing patterns and financing histories, retailers can identify customers who have previously financed products and can invest in higher-priced items. With this information, retailers can personalize their sales approach, offer attractive financing options, and guide customers toward upgrading their purchases. This boosts revenue and enhances customer satisfaction by providing tailored recommendations based on their financial capabilities.
Moreover, retailers can leverage financing data to collaborate with lenders and optimize partnerships that provide their customers with the most successful financing options.
Mistake 5: Adding additional Lenders without using a platform
Adding additional lenders without using a point-of-sale (POS) platform contributes to a poor customer experience and makes managing post-sale processes such as refunds, reconciliations, and disputes exceptionally complicated. Without a centralized system, each lender operates independently, making it difficult to streamline and coordinate these critical activities.
Without an embedded lending platform, managing post-sales transactions becomes a cumbersome process. Each lender may have different refund policies, procedures, and timelines, making it hard to ensure consistent and efficient processing. Reconciling transactions across multiple lenders becomes equally complex, as there is no centralized mechanism to track and match payments, leading to potential errors and discrepancies.
Handling disputes becomes a more arduous task as well. Without a unified platform, resolving issues requires interacting with each lender separately, prolonging the resolution process and causing frustration for customers and retailers. The lack of streamlined communication channels and standardized dispute-resolution procedures can result in inconsistent outcomes and an unsatisfactory customer experience.
Additionally, compliance becomes more complicated without a platform. Each lender may have its own regulatory requirements, and managing and ensuring adherence to these varied compliance standards can be daunting. This increases the risk of non-compliance and potential legal issues for lenders and merchants.
Conclusion – A platform-first solution
Retailers are increasingly partnering with ChargeAfter to simplify their financing operations and eliminate the common pitfalls of point-of-sale financing. By embedding multiple lenders into a single, easy-to-manage platform, ChargeAfter enables merchants to deliver a seamless and efficient financing waterfall experience for their customers. With this approach retailers can achieve approval rates of up to 85%, meeting the needs of shoppers across the credit spectrum.
Beyond customer benefits, the platform simplifies post-sale processes by consolidating lender relationships, streamlining workflows, and reducing administrative burdens.
About Kevin Lawrence VP Global Lender Relations – Kevin has worked in the banking and finance industry for over a decade. He has worked closely with some of North America’s largest banks, financial institutions, and retailers. Kevin is an expert in embedded consumer financing and B2B financing. He has a deep understanding of current trends and where the industry is heading.
Point-of-sale (POS) financing is more than just a flexible way for customers to pay—when implemented effectively, it creates a symbiotic relationship between merchants, lenders, and customers, with each party benefiting.
Driving this transformation is the rise of embedded lending technology, which is successfully bridging the gap between merchants, lenders, and customers. We’ll explore how this win-win-win relationship unfolds when POS financing is executed with the right partnerships, strategies, and technology.
Merchants: Driving Sales and Building Loyalty
For merchants, offering POS financing is no longer optional—it’s a strategic priority. Customers increasingly expect flexible payment options at checkout, whether in-store, online, via mobile apps, in call centers, or even in-home. By leveraging a platform-first approach and partnering with the right lenders, merchants can easily drive sales and build loyalty. A successful POS finance strategy provides the following benefits:
Expands access: Collaboration with lenders across the credit spectrum ensures financing is available to a wide range of customers, regardless of credit profile.
Boost sales: Financing options increase customers’ purchasing power, with the potential to drive higher average order values (AOV) and reduce cart abandonment.
Secure better terms and control: Access to multiple lenders allows merchants to negotiate terms, fostering competition among lenders and giving merchants greater control over the financing options they offer.
Lenders: Reaching More Customers
Lenders are a crucial piece of the puzzle. By partnering with relevant merchants they gain access to their customer base at the exact moment of need. When partnering through a platform, lenders benefit from:
Broader reach: Collaboration with merchants introduces lenders to new customers who are in the market to purchase the goods or services the lender specializes in.
Increased approval opportunities: By being part of a waterfall that covers diverse credit tiers, lenders can instantly match their offerings to qualified borrowers, maximizing approval rates and business potential.
Efficient operations: POS financing platforms simplify integration with multiple merchants, allowing lenders to focus on their core business of lending.
Customers: Flexible, Accessible Payment Options
At the center of the POS financing model is the customer. A well-executed POS financing solution addresses customers’ growing expectations for personalization, convenience, flexibility, transparency, and choices. Customers benefit in several ways:
Increased choices: Financing choices clearly presented mean that customers are more likely to find terms that suit their financial needs and make confident and informed decisions.
Transparency and trust: Clear terms, quick approvals, and the ability to manage payments foster trust and satisfaction.
Seamless experience: Whether shopping online or in-store, customers enjoy a consistent and unified financing experience. From browsing online to checkout, wherever the purchase is completed, the process is streamlined and intuitive, reducing friction and encouraging repeat purchases.
The Role of Technology in Enabling Collaboration
A point-of-sale financing platform enables real-time credit decisions, seamless integration across channels, and partnerships with multiple lenders to ensure that every customer has access to tailored financing options. It acts as the glue that connects merchants, lenders, and customers. These platforms provide the infrastructure and insights necessary for seamless collaboration, including:
Omnichannel integration: Ensuring financing is available at every point of sale—online, in-store, and mobile.
Real-time approvals: A matching engine that waterfalls and routes customers to the best lender for their credit profile, maximizing approval rates and streamlining the financing process.
Analytics and Post-Sale Insights: A platform provides detailed analytics that help merchants and lenders understand customer behavior and financing trends, driving repeat purchases and long-term customer satisfaction.
Achieving the Win-Win-Win
When merchants, lenders, and customers work together within a well-designed POS financing ecosystem, everyone wins:
Merchants see higher sales and customer loyalty.
Lenders expand their reach and drive profitable growth.
Customers gain access to flexible, convenient financing options that enhance their shopping experience and purchasing power.
This synergy is what makes POS financing a powerful tool in today’s retail landscape. Businesses that embrace this collaborative approach will exceed customer expectations and build stronger, more sustainable relationships across the value chain.
Ready to create a win-win-win for your business? Contact us to learn more about how ChargeAfter can help you unlock the power of POS financing.
About Kevin Lawrence VP Global Lender Relations – Kevin has worked in the banking and finance industry for over a decade. He has worked closely with some of North America’s largest banks, financial institutions, and retailers. Kevin is an expert in embedded consumer financing and B2B financing. He has a deep understanding of current trends and where the industry is heading.
In this episode of our ‘POS Finance Innovators’ series, we explore the rapidly growing B2B financing market and its potential to address the needs of this underserved customer base
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with John Tomich, one of the most forward-thinking leaders in the B2B financing space, to discuss its massive potential as it begins to close the gap with the more established world of B2C financing. John is the CEO and co-founder of Credit Key and an experienced entrepreneur with a proven track record in e-commerce innovation and technology-driven financing and payment solutions.
Key takeaways from my conversation with John
The shift to digital in B2B commerce
John emphasizes the transformation occurring in B2B commerce, which is beginning to embrace digital solutions akin to B2C models. Historically, B2B transactions were cumbersome and analog, often involving lengthy processes. However, as businesses increasingly sell online, there is a growing demand for efficient financing solutions that facilitate real-time purchases. This shift presents a unique opportunity for innovation in the financing sector, allowing businesses to streamline their purchasing processes.
Addressing the capital gap for small businesses
John highlights the traditional lack of access to capital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With approximately 25 million small businesses in the U.S. often underserved by traditional banks, there is a pressing need for tailored financing options. Credit Key aims to fill this gap by providing flexible financing solutions that cater to the unique needs of these businesses, thereby empowering them to thrive in a competitive market.
The future of B2B financing is bright
John shares his optimism about the future of B2B financing, predicting rapid growth driven by increased digital penetration and the emergence of new players. He likens the current stage of B2B financing to the early days of B2C e-commerce, suggesting that we are only in the “second inning” of this market’s development. As retailers increasingly recognize the value of digital financing solutions for their B2B customers, the market will rapidly grow, which is where the industry is now.
We hope you enjoy this interview and gain valuable insights. Stay tuned for more conversations with POS finance innovators!
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About Jeffrey Tower EVP Global Business Development and Strategy Jeff has over 20 years of experience driving revenue through building global brand awareness, business development, marketing, and sales departments focused on consumer financing, fintech, and eCommerce.
We are thrilled to announce that ChargeAfter is a finalist in three categories in Furniture Today’s 2024 Reader Rankings:
Best Banking Services Provider
Best Consumer Finance Company
Best Software Provider
These awards hold special significance because they are determined by the nominations and votes of Furniture Today readers—industry professionals who trust and appreciate the solutions that make a difference in their businesses.
ChargeAfter’s embedded lending platform transforms point-of-sale financing, providing a seamless omnichannel multi-lender waterfall, helping merchants to increase approval rates, and enhance customer loyalty. Its robust post-sales management tools and extensive network of lenders make it simple for them to manage the lending process. The platform plays an essential role in helping furniture retailers deliver personalized financing choices in real time, ensuring that customers across the credit spectrum can find the best-fit options to make the purchases they desire.
For banks, ChargeAfter’s Lending Hub offers a robust solution to create, manage, and distribute lending products efficiently. Trusted by top-tier banks, the Lending Hub helps banks meet the evolving needs of merchants to deliver tailored financing options for their customers.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of the furniture industry and everyone who voted for us.
Discover why ChargeAfter is the platform of choice for the furniture industry. Learn More.
We’re thrilled to unveil our new series, “POS Finance Innovators” in which we delve into the world of point-of-sale (POS) finance through discussions with the industry leaders shaping the future of this space.
In our premiere episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rolando De Gracia, Chief Commercial Officer of Concora Credit, to kick off our series with an insightful and engaging conversation about the critical role of second-look financing and how it is evolving. With a wealth of experience in the consumer finance industry, Rolando shares how providers and merchants are adjusting their strategies in response to shifting consumer behaviors, economic challenges, and the strategic importance of near-prime solutions.
Watch the video and join the conversation by leaving a comment! Please feel welcome to connect with me on LinkedIn to continue discussing these fascinating insights.
Key takeaways from my conversation with Rolando:
Second-look financing as a strategic solution Rolando highlights how second-look financing bridges the gap between prime lenders and costly lease-to-own products. He explains how revolving lines of credit provide non-prime customers with affordable alternatives to prime loans, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving repeat sales for merchants.
Investing in customers for long-term loyalty Rolando shares why leading retailers, including HP, choose Concora Credit as their second-look provider. By consistently investing in advanced tools, technologies, and customer experiences—and fostering partnerships built on positive culture and retail expertise—Concora creates significant value for both merchants and consumers.
“Retail is detail”: building meaningful customer relationships Rolando emphasizes that retail is about more than just transactions—it’s about creating meaningful engagements. Success depends on ensuring customers feel valued, whether by offering sufficient credit limits, delivering exceptional service, or providing seamless digital experiences. This focus on relationship-building drives loyalty and repeat business.
We hope you enjoy this interview and gain valuable insights. Stay tuned for more conversations with POS finance innovators!
About Jeffrey Tower EVP Global Business Development and Strategy Jeff has over 20 years of experience driving revenue through building global brand awareness, business development, marketing, and sales departments focused on consumer financing, fintech, and eCommerce.
Money 2020 will take place from 27 Oct to 30 Oct 2024 in Las Vegas.
Are you heading out to Money 20/20? Our team will be on-site and ready to chat about how our Lending Hub helps banks revolutionize their embedded lending solutions through our scalable, secure, and flexible platform.
We invite you to reach out and connect with our team ahead of time! Meidad Sharon, Founder & CEO
Jeffrey Tower, EVP Global Business Development & Strategy
Nufar Bareket, Global Head of Partnerships and Financial Institutions
Jim Magnuson, Director of Sales And Business Development
Money20/20 USA remains the world’s most significant and influential event for the global financial ecosystem, encompassing sectors like banking, payments, technology, startups, retail, fintech, financial services, policy, and more. We are excited to connect with industry leaders and build scalable long-term partnerships.
