Why does the payment method mix matter for inclusion?

Because not every customer will or can pay by card. Some distrust digital payments for privacy or security reasons, others are in financial difficulty or simply prefer another method. A merchant that can offer a bank transfer, a wallet or a local scheme next to cards keeps those customers at checkout. Freedom of choice is one of Andréa Toucinho's three principles.

Not everyone has, or wants, a card

Accessibility is usually discussed as a screen and keyboard problem. It is also a payment method problem. Some customers do not hold a card, some are in financial difficulty and avoid credit, some distrust digital payments for privacy or security reasons, and some simply prefer the method they know, a bank transfer, a local scheme or cash on delivery.

What a narrow mix does

• Pushes those customers out of the checkout, often without the merchant noticing.
• Concentrates risk on card rails, including their fees and disputes.
• Ignores markets where bank payments or wallets already dominate.

Freedom of choice

Andréa Toucinho lists freedom of choice among her three principles of payment inclusion, with accessibility and education. For an operator, that means connecting the local methods of each market and letting merchants activate them, so a customer in the Netherlands sees iDEAL, one in Poland sees BLIK, and one who wants to pay by transfer can. The cost is a few more integrations on the payment network. The gain is customers who were leaving silently.