Digital Wallets Capture More Than One in 10 U.S. In-Store Payments

Digital wallets are expanding beyond e-commerce into physical retail as consumers grow more comfortable paying through mobile platforms and merchants broaden acceptance. The shift matters for banks, card networks and payment providers because wallets are moving closer to cash in everyday checkout usage, reshaping competition over the interface, funding source and customer data behind each transaction.

PYMNTS Intelligence reported that 11.8% of U.S. consumers used a digital wallet for an in-store purchase in 2025, a significant increase from 2022 and a share now approaching cash payments. The latest findings also show a growing number of shoppers paying directly from balances held within digital platforms, rather than relying solely on externally linked payment methods.