17% more efficiency at checkout: How Shopify merchants in the DACH region benefit from invoice and installment payments

Anyone who runs a Shopify shop usually has a good overview of the costs. Shopify is one of the most transparent e-commerce platforms on the market. Nevertheless, it is worth keeping an eye on the overall picture: In addition to the subscription fee, transaction fees and payment method conditions noticeably affect the result.

Those who know these adjustment screws can actively optimize their setup. And this is exactly where the payment mix comes into play - because for merchants in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, one of the biggest levers is right at the checkout.

Understanding the Shopify cost model: What is behind the monthly price?

Shopify is deliberately structured so that merchants receive better conditions as their volume grows. The model essentially consists of three levels: the subscription fee forms the basis – from 'Basic' to 'Grow' and 'Advanced' up to 'Shopify Plus' for larger businesses. The higher the plan, the lower the transaction fees: those who do not use Shopify Payments pay 2% (Basic), 1% (Standard), or 0.6% (Advanced) per transaction – a real lever for high order volumes.

If payments are processed via Shopify Payments, these surcharges do not apply. Then the conditions apply depending on the payment method: credit card transactions cost between approximately 1.5% and 2.9% plus a fixed fee, depending on the plan. For the global market, this is a good setup – but for DACH merchants, there is a relevant peculiarity.

The DACH Factor: Why the Payment Mix Is Crucial

Credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay – that is the default when you activate Shopify Payments. These payment methods work well worldwide. In the DACH region, however, the data tells a different story. Around 30% of e-commerce revenue in Germany comes from invoice and installment payments (BNPL).1 It looks similar in Austria and Switzerland. Invoice and installment payments are not niche payment methods, but the backbone of DACH e-commerce. Those who do not offer these payment methods at checkout lose:

• Customers who do not buy at all without an invoice or installment
• Shopping carts that are simply abandoned with high-priced products
• Revenue that is migrating to competitors with a local payment offer

In short: A payment mix that bypasses the region wastes potential.

The Role of 'Buy now, pay later' in Detail: Conversion, Cart Value, and Returns

The good news. Whoever activates BNPL afterwards taps into potential that is still lying fallow in the standard Shopify payment setup. As soon as invoice purchase and installment purchase are available at checkout, measurable effects appear.

More completions through the right payment method

BNPL increases conversion because it decouples the purchase decision from the immediate payment burden. Customers who hesitate end up buying because they can pay in 30 days or split the amount. In the DACH market, this effect is particularly pronounced: invoice and installment payments are not niche preferences here, but culturally ingrained. Merchant data from Unzer shows conversion increases of up to 18% as soon as BNPL is available at checkout.

Higher shopping cart values through more leeway

Those who can pay in installments buy more. The average shopping cart value is up to 20% higher with BNPL. This is particularly relevant for retailers with high-priced assortments: a shopping cart over 800 euros is evaluated differently when payment can be spread over several months. This is the difference between a wish list and buying.

Fewer returns due to more conscious purchasing decisions

A less discussed but relevant effect: BNPL buyers tend to return items less often. Those who consciously choose installment payments have considered the purchase more carefully than someone who impulsively clicks with a stored credit card. Fewer returns mean lower logistics costs and better margins – a direct contribution to overall efficiency.

When conversion, cart value, and return effects work together, there is an efficiency gain of 14-17% at checkout. Not through savings – but through a better-configured payment mix.

Why Whitelabel BNPL from Unzer is the most effective way

BNPL in the Shopify checkout can be activated in various ways. Mollie, for example, allows integration through partners like Riverty. It works – but there are structural differences that are relevant for merchants.

Your brand, your checkout

In the partner model, the BNPL processing runs under the brand of the third party. Customers see the Riverty or Klarna logo or another provider at checkout. This can create friction and interrupt the shopping experience.

Unzer offers BNPL as a white label: invoices, communication, dunning, and installment plans run under your brand. The shopping experience remains consistent - from the product page to the payment confirmation.

Assumption of risk and immediate liquidity

Unzer takes on the default risk completely and pays out directly after shipping – regardless of when the buyer pays. This makes liquidity planning predictable and completely removes the collection risk for merchants.

Data sovereignty

Whoever activates BNPL through third parties shares customer data. With Unzer BNPL, all data stays in the hands of the merchant – no upselling by third parties, no foreign touchpoints, full GDPR compliance.

Higher shopping cart limits and B2B capability

Unzer enables significantly higher BNPL limits than many competitors - relevant for anyone serving high-priced goods or B2B customers. Where other providers cap at a certain limit, Unzer remains scalable.

Conclusion: Optimize the checkout with the BNPL payment lever

Shopify is a powerful platform – and as with any platform, the rule is: Whoever understands the model can use it to their advantage. The greatest optimization potential for DACH merchants lies not in the plan, but in the payment mix. BNPL activates conversion potential, increases the cart value, and reduces returns.

BNPL from Unzer does this without brand loss, without data leakage, and with immediate payout. 14-17% efficiency gain at checkout - not by saving, but by smarter configuration.