UK-based fintech company TIMVERO has released an analysis of installment payment availability across 600 consumer-facing businesses in 33 countries, finding that 71% advertised an option to spread purchase costs over multiple payments. The study examined 12 retail and service categories, with 50 businesses surveyed in each, to identify where installment payments are widely available and where consumers have fewer options.
The findings show significant differences between sectors. While installment payments are common among retailers selling bicycles, furniture and electronics, they are considerably less prevalent among providers of services such as veterinary care, driving lessons and auto repairs. The research comes as flexible payment options play an increasingly prominent role in consumer purchasing decisions, particularly among younger shoppers.
Installment Availability Varies Across Consumer Sectors
According to TIMVERO’s audit, bicycle and e-mobility retailers had the highest installment availability, with 96% of surveyed businesses advertising flexible payment options. Furniture and home setup businesses followed at 94%, while home repair and renovation providers reached 88%. Online courses and boot camps and optical care businesses both recorded 84%, followed by musical instruments and equipment at 80%, consumer electronics at 76% and dental clinics at 74%.
At the other end of the ranking, four categories recorded installment availability below 50%. Elective medical clinics reached 48%, veterinary clinics 46% and driving schools 42%, while auto repair and servicing businesses had the lowest coverage at 36%. These results indicate that installment options are less frequently advertised in several service categories where customers may face substantial or unexpected expenses.
The findings also align with broader research into consumer payment preferences. According to PYMNTS Intelligence, the share of US Gen Z consumers using credit card installment plans increased from 31% to 47% in less than a year. A separate PYMNTS survey found that 43% of consumers would not complete a purchase without a buy now, pay later (BNPL) option, while Morning Consult reported that 66% of shoppers would likely abandon a cart if their preferred BNPL payment method was unavailable.
Opportunities for Businesses Offering Flexible Payments
The differences identified in TIMVERO’s research suggest that businesses in sectors with limited installment availability may have opportunities to introduce more flexible payment arrangements. This is particularly relevant for services such as veterinary treatment and vehicle repairs, where customers may need to cover expenses they had not planned for.
“Gen Z is increasingly incorporating installments into how they decide what to buy, but availability varies significantly by category,” said Dmitriy Wolkenstein, CEO and co-founder of TIMVERO. “Where installments are still uncommon, businesses have an opportunity to meet that demand by offering their own interest-free payment plans. Veterinary care and auto repair are good examples.”
Founded in 2021, TIMVERO develops enterprise lending infrastructure for banks, credit unions and licensed lenders. Its products include timveroOS, a platform for launching and managing lending services, and timveroAI, an AI layer for configuring lending systems. According to the company, 20 lending products currently operate on timveroOS across more than 13 countries.
The audit provides a cross-category view of where installment payments are advertised, although it does not establish how frequently consumers use these options or whether their availability directly increases sales. TIMVERO’s findings nevertheless identify several consumer service sectors where flexible payment options remain less visible than in traditional retail.
