What payment method do customers use most often when buying flowers in Russia

How do modern buyers pay for flowers? This question seems simple, but in fact it is directly related to the development of the entire floristry business. Over the past ten years, Russia has seen significant changes in payment habits. If until recently cash remained the main method of payment, today bank cards, mobile services and online payments are confidently in the lead.

This transformation is especially noticeable in the floral sphere. Bouquets are bought both spontaneously - "on the way home" or "before a meeting" - and in advance, via the Internet. In each case, convenience and speed of payment play a key role. The customer expects to have a choice: to get cash, swipe a card, pay by phone or make an online transfer in advance.

For floral studios and shops, this is not just a technical detail. Payment methods affect sales, marketing, and even business development strategy. The more convenient the payment process, the higher the likelihood that the buyer will return again. That is why understanding which methods are most popular today is becoming an important element of the competitive struggle.

Cash: a fading classic

Cash is still a popular method of payment, especially in small shops and among older shoppers.

• According to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, in 2024, about 20% of all retail purchases in Russia will still be paid for in cash.
• In flower kiosks “along the way” (for example, near the metro or shopping centers), cash makes up to 50–60% of payments.

Example: owners of shops near the metro note that spontaneous bouquets for 500–1000 ₽ are most often paid for in “cash”.

Bank cards: the absolute leader

Payment by card through a terminal has become a familiar standard for most buyers.

• According to Sberbank, in 2024 the share of non-cash payments in Russia exceeded 75%.
• For the flower business, cards mean trust and transparency.
• Payments are fast, and customers often use cashback or bonus programs.

 On average in Russia, more than 60% of transactions in flower shops are already made using cards.

 Mobile payments and SBP: a trend of the young generation

Apple Pay, Google Pay and the Fast Payment System (FPS) are becoming a common payment tool today and are gradually replacing classic methods like cash or even bank cards. This is especially noticeable among young customers who value speed and convenience.

According to the Bank of Russia, by 2024, about 20% of all P2P and retail transfers will go through the SBP, a figure that continues to grow. For the generation under 35, paying with a smartphone or smartwatch is not just an option, but the norm. Young people want to make purchases easily, quickly and without unnecessary actions, and this directly affects their choice of store.

In the floristry business, this trend is especially obvious. Many studios note that if the terminal does not support SBP or contactless payment, customers go to competitors where they can pay “in one touch”. For businesses, this is a signal: modern payment methods have ceased to be an additional service - they have become a mandatory condition that determines customer loyalty and retention.

 Online payment: the future of online sales

For orders with delivery, online payment has already become not just a convenient service, but a standard, without which it is difficult to imagine the modern market. Customers are accustomed to the fact that they can order a bouquet in a few clicks, and the payment is immediately confirmed in the system. This saves time and gives confidence that the order is definitely accepted and will be fulfilled.

According to Yandex.Market, more than 85% of orders in the "flowers and gifts" segment are paid for online, and this share continues to grow. This is especially important for those who make surprises: people increasingly pay for bouquets at a distance - while in another city or even abroad. In this case, online payment becomes not just a convenience, but a necessary tool that allows you to maintain contact and give emotions, no matter where the client is.

Online delivery services such as Flowwow, Flor2u and others are noting a steady growth in prepaid orders via the SBP and bank cards. This creates a new standard of behavior: buyers are increasingly choosing to pay in cash upon receipt and increasingly trust digital channels. For businesses, this means one thing: the introduction of fast and reliable online payment methods is becoming a key factor in competitiveness.

Thus, online sales in the floristry segment are directly related to the development of payment technologies. The more convenient and diverse the payment options a company offers, the higher the likelihood that the client will return to it. Online payment has ceased to be just a technical option and has become the basis of the modern customer experience.

Conclusion

Our research has shown that the payment habits of buyers in the flower business have changed significantly. Cash is gradually fading into the background, retaining its position only in kiosks and among the older generation. Bank cards have become the absolute leader, perceived as the most convenient and familiar tool. The share of mobile services and SBP is growing rapidly, especially among young people and in megacities. And for online sales, online payment is becoming a virtually uncontested standard.

For flower shops, this means that you can’t limit yourself to one or two options. The more payment methods available to the customer, the higher their loyalty and the lower the risk that they will go to a competitor. Flexibility, technology and attention to customer habits are becoming key factors for success in the modern flower business.

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