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Event File FINTECH PYMNTS Credit Cards

US Consumers Increase Planned Spending as Financial Stress Eases, PYMNTS Study Finds

2 reports · First detected 2026-02-23 · Last active 2026-03-16

A PYMNTS Intelligence study examined changes in US consumers’ credit card use as financial pressure eased. Credit use is shifting from covering unexpected shortfalls to financing purchases planned in advance, signaling renewed confidence in household spending and affecting issuers’ product design, approval messaging and risk assessments.

The latest report found that 53% of US consumers use credit for planned purchases, while 42% remain unsure whether they would be approved for a new card. The related coverage did not disclose the value of purchases surveyed, sample size or exact publication date. PYMNTS Intelligence therefore recommends that issuers provide clearer information about card approvals and product terms.

All Coverage

2 original reports
PYMNTS.COM 2026-03-16
53% of Consumers Use Credit for Planned Purchases
PYMNTS.COM 2026-02-23
Planned Purchases Rise as Financial Stress Eases, Study Finds

The Backstory

The history behind this event
Financial Strain Reshapes How US Consumers Shop and Pay2026-02-26 · 3 reports · similarity 0.82

A PYMNTS Intelligence survey of 2,108 U.S. adults found that consumers facing recurring cash-flow shortfalls are using shopping channels and payment tools to manage their budgets. The shift is affecting not only retailer traffic but also authorization risk controls at banks and payment providers, along with digital-wallet features and checkout design.

The latest data, published April 14, 2026, showed that 56% of highly financially stressed consumers chose Walmart for their most recent online grocery purchase, while 37% chose it for their most recent in-store purchase. This group spent an average of $169 on its most recent online retail purchase, compared with $96 among consumers under low financial stress, and was 34% less likely to buy from Amazon. A separate February 26 report found that 30% of respondents had shopped online in the previous 30 days, up 13% from a year earlier.

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