Exactly.com has reported a 23% year-on-year increase in turnover and a 15% rise in transaction volumes across its merchant portfolio, as it targets growth among small and mid-sized businesses.
The UK-based payment provider said it recorded lower payment processing costs for some eCommerce clients during the same period. It reported average reductions of 30% to 40% for selected customers.
The company linked the cost changes to its approach to acquiring and its payments infrastructure. It said it uses local acquiring as part of its strategy.
Exactly.com also framed its results around wider concerns in merchant payments, including transaction fees, settlement speeds, fraud risk, and the operational load from disputes.
Merchant pressures
The company cited industry data from The Payment Association's 2025 merchant survey. It said 72% of businesses identified high transaction fees as a key concern. It said 66% pointed to compliance and regulatory obligations. It said 64% reported settlement delays.
Exactly.com said these issues affected cash flow and working capital. It also said small and micro-businesses faced less access to competitive acquiring terms and payment infrastructure than larger merchants.
Mark Andreev, Chief Operating Officer at Exactly.com, linked some of the market tension to standardised approaches among providers.
"Small and medium-sized businesses are often disproportionately affected because many fintech providers and legacy banks still rely on one-size-fits-all solutions. These approaches can be inflexible, and in some cases accounts are terminated shortly after onboarding - an issue frequently seen in higher-risk sectors such as travel, where chargeback exposure is elevated, or among lower-turnover businesses. Smaller merchants may face higher rates despite tight margins or be offered initially attractive pricing that later proves unsustainable due to hidden costs such as anti-fraud fees. For these businesses, every cent matters, yet the payment infrastructure and pricing they receive often fail to reflect that reality," said Mark Andreev, Chief Operating Officer, Exactly.com.
Exactly.com also highlighted fraud exposure, with a focus on eCommerce. It pointed to fraudulent returns and the associated costs of disputes handling and protective measures.
Consumer shifts
The company described changes in shopping patterns among younger consumers as another factor reshaping merchant requirements. It said Gen Z shoppers showed weaker brand loyalty and made more purchases based on trends, speed, and convenience.
Exactly.com said this shift drove more impulsive buying. It said retailers and online sellers faced pressure to adjust checkout flows, pricing strategies, and payment experiences.
The company also pointed to a broader move in the payments sector towards express checkout options and frictionless payments. It described buying journeys where customers complete purchases in a few clicks. It also referred to flows that do not rely on a traditional shopping cart.
Exactly.com said these patterns increased the importance of fast and flexible payment systems for merchants. It also linked those requirements to operational risk, including chargebacks and fraud management.
UK expansion
Exactly.com said it planned to strengthen its presence in the UK market through 2026. It said it aimed to make its payment products and services available to merchants of any size.
The company said it continued to focus on eCommerce, online travel agencies, hospitality, and car rentals. These sectors often face variable demand patterns and higher chargeback exposure than other verticals.
Exactly.com said it planned to expand its team as its client base grows. It said it wanted to maintain business and technical support as it scales.
The company also flagged industry-related launches over the coming year, without providing details. It said these initiatives would form part of its next phase of growth.
Exactly.com said its platform supports major card schemes, digital wallets, and a growing range of alternative and local payment methods. It said it worked with merchants that operate across multiple markets and face cross-border costs.
Andreev said pricing and support remained central issues for smaller firms in payments. "For these businesses, every cent matters, yet the payment infrastructure and pricing they receive often fail to reflect that reality," said Andreev.