How Credit Cards Are Winning Canada’s eCommerce Checkout

The New Shape of Online Spending

The digital divide between baby boomers and Gen Z shoppers is fading fast. Today, Canadians of all ages are clicking “buy now” with equal enthusiasm. What remains are subtle differences in how each group chooses to pay.

According to recent research, payment choices have become more about trust and control than age. Debit still leads at physical checkouts, but when the shopping cart moves online, credit cards are taking the lead — driven by perceptions of security and protection.

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Credit Takes the Lead Online

In-store, debit continues to dominate. Nearly half of Canadians use debit for their most recent brick-and-mortar purchase, compared to fewer than one-third who use credit. But the story flips online. When shopping virtually, 38 percent of consumers reach for their credit cards, while 30 percent choose debit.

The motivation? Security and fraud protection. Consumers see credit cards as safer buffers against cyber risk, particularly for higher-value purchases. In contrast, debit remains the go-to for in-person transactions, where consumers feel greater control.

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Digital Wallets Gain Ground

Digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are still in their growth phase, but they are carving out space online. The number of consumers using wallets online has doubled compared to those using them in-store. Shoppers increasingly see wallets as convenient and private ways to pay — especially on mobile devices — rather than replacements for cards at the counter.

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Where Canadians Shop Matters

Platform preferences also tell a story. Amazon continues to dominate, with more than half of online credit purchases happening there. Meanwhile, Walmart leads the way in physical retail, reflecting the ongoing strength of debit-driven, value-conscious shopping habits.

The larger takeaway is not about which generation prefers which payment method. It is about how the context — online versus in-store — shapes behaviour. Whether they are baby boomers booking travel or Gen Z ordering groceries, Canadians are aligning their payment choices with trust, convenience, and confidence.

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The Bottom Line

Online shopping may have reached a plateau, but payment innovation has not. Credit’s digital dominance signals a shift in consumer psychology: Canadians are treating their payment methods as strategic tools for managing risk and rewards.

As the payments landscape continues to evolve, businesses that offer flexible, secure options across every channel will capture more than sales — they will earn customer trust.

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Payment Solutions with Kubera Payments

At Kubera Payments, we help businesses across North America move millions of dollars daily, whether in-store, online, or on mobile. Our team of payment experts is here to guide you through the complexities of payment processing, ensuring your transactions are secure, reliable, and PCI-compliant.

We have strong relationships with a wide network of acquirers and can help you find the right front-end and technology solutions to work together.

Get expert advice on optimizing your payments.

Contact our team at sales@kuberapayments.com or 604-484-9278

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