The report, titled The Hidden Cost of Checkout Gaps, was developed by PYMNTS Intelligence in partnership with PayPal. Researchers surveyed 2,179 U.S. adults in June 2026 to analyze consumer behavior during online checkout processes.
Data indicates that nearly 56 million U.S. consumers abandoned online shopping carts in the 30 days prior to the survey due to the absence of their preferred payment methods. Of that total, approximately 26 million shoppers left because digital wallets were not available.
The study highlights that payment options, including buy now, pay later services, significantly influence conversion rates. Merchants are encouraged to address these checkout gaps to prevent potential sales losses.
Looking toward future trends, 43% of consumers expressed an interest in linking digital wallets to AI agents for automated purchases within the next two years. Users also indicated a desire to set specific spending limits and purchase parameters for these AI tools.
