5 Payment Trends to Watch in Québec This Fall

Fall 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting time for payments in Québec. Habits are shifting, consumer expectations are evolving, and businesses need to keep pace. It’s no longer just about speed or security—people now want more flexibility, personalization, and efficiency in how they pay.

Here are five major payment trends to keep an eye on this season… and why they matter more than ever.

Digital wallets are gaining even more ground

Digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and those linked directly to banking apps aren’t new, but adoption is hitting a whole new level. In Québec, more and more consumers prefer pulling out their phones instead of their cards. And it’s not just the younger crowd—those aged 45 and up are jumping in too.

Fall is a shopping-heavy season: clothing, sports gear, event tickets, holiday prep… and for many, contactless phone payments have become the default method. That’s why it’s crucial for merchants to ensure their payment solutions support digital wallets—otherwise, they risk losing sales.

Buy now, pay later goes mainstream

Not long ago, installment payments were reserved for big-ticket items. Now, with services like PayBright, Sezzle, or Klarna, even a fall jacket or pair of boots can be paid in three or four installments.

What’s changed? These options are now incredibly easy to integrate into e-commerce platforms. And Québec consumers see the benefit: managing their budgets with no interest, no surprises.

If your business isn’t offering this kind of flexibility yet, you could be losing customers to those who are. Fortunately, some payment solutions make it easy to add these features without overhauling your entire system.

Security gets smarter (without slowing things down)

The keyword in 2025: frictionless security. Consumers want to feel safe, but they no longer have patience for long validation steps. Think biometric authentication (facial recognition, fingerprints), dynamic security tokens, and real-time fraud detection systems.

In Québec, where trust in local merchants runs high, it would be a shame to lose that bond over a clunky or unreliable payment experience. Investing in payment solutions that blend speed with smart security is not just a smart move—it’s now a must.

Social commerce is picking up speed

Buying directly through Instagram or TikTok? That’s becoming the norm, especially among the 18–34 crowd. The Québec brands that stand out are the ones offering seamless payment options directly on these platforms.

This fall, expect to see more “shoppable” campaigns linked to Halloween, Black Friday, and the holiday season. The winners will be those who’ve properly connected their sales systems with their social channels—offering fast, integrated, frictionless checkout experiences.

And guess what? Modern payment solutions now integrate smoothly with these ecosystems. You don’t have to start from scratch—but you do need to stay current.

Voice and AI-powered payments are emerging

It might not be happening everywhere just yet, but this trend is starting to make waves. Voice assistants are now capable of completing purchases or sending transfers with simple voice commands. And with AI rapidly evolving, automating some payment tasks is getting easier by the day.

In Québec, a few forward-thinking merchants are testing these features, especially in controlled settings (cafés, kiosks, etc.). While it might not go mainstream this fall, now’s the time to learn, plan, and prepare.

This is where DRS Payments comes in

All these trends might sound a little technical or overwhelming for a small business or local merchant. But in reality, staying on the cutting edge has never been simpler—if you’ve got the right partner.

That’s exactly what DRS Payments offers: a friendly, accessible, and Québec-focused approach to modern payments. Whether you need to integrate digital wallets, offer buy-now-pay-later options, tighten security, or sell directly through social media, DRS Payments gives you payment solutions that are complete, flexible, and reliable.

The best part? You don’t need to juggle ten different providers or become a cybersecurity expert. You can focus on what you do best—delivering a great customer experience.