Exactly.com Reports 23% YoY Turnover Growth as It Reinforces Commitment to Payment Equality

Payment provider Exactly.com has reported a 23% year-on-year increase in turnover and a 15% rise in transaction volumes across its merchant portfolio, reflecting strong demand for more efficient, transparent, and resilient payment solutions.

During the same period, the company delivered measurable efficiency gains for selected client segments, most notably in e-commerce, where average payment processing costs were reduced by 30–40%. These savings were driven by Exactly.com’s local acquiring strategy and optimised payments infrastructure, which reduces friction and improves cost efficiency for merchants operating in increasingly competitive environments.

According to Exactly.com, the results underline its continued focus on building a human-centred payments ecosystem that supports businesses of all sizes. Despite accounting for a significant share of transaction volumes across many markets, small and micro-businesses still face limited access to competitive acquiring terms, tailored payment infrastructure, and consistent IT and business support.

This challenge is echoed across the wider industry. According to The Payment Association’s 2025 merchant survey, 72% of businesses cite high transaction fees as a key concern, while 66% point to compliance and regulatory obligations, and 64% report settlement delays. All of these issues place sustained pressure on merchant cash flow and working capital.

Mark Andreev, COO at Exactly.com, commented: “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.”

Another challenge is fraud, with fraudulent returns becoming more common in e-commerce and further eroding already thin margins. In addition to lost revenue, merchants must also deal with the operational overhead associated with disputes and protecting their businesses from abuse.

At the same time, UK retail and e-commerce businesses are navigating fundamental changes in consumer behaviour, particularly among Gen Z. Brand loyalty is weakening, with purchasing decisions increasingly driven by trends, speed, and convenience rather than long-term attachment to specific retailers. This shift is driving more impulsive buying, forcing businesses to adapt their checkout flows, pricing strategies, and payment experiences.

As a result, the payments industry is evolving rapidly, with growing adoption of express checkout options and frictionless payment journeys that allow consumers to complete purchases in just a few clicks — sometimes without even entering a traditional cart. For merchants, this places greater importance on a reliable, fast, and flexible payment infrastructure that can support changing buying habits without increasing operational risk.

Looking ahead to 2026

Exactly.com aims to address these challenges head-on. Throughout 2026, the company plans to further strengthen its presence in the UK market, making its payment products and services available to merchants of any size without discrimination. Its focus industries remain e-commerce, online travel agencies, hospitality, and car rentals.

To ensure equal levels of business and technical support as its client base grows, Exactly.com is expanding its team, reinforcing its belief that technology should scale without losing a human touch.

Over the coming year, the company also plans a number of industry-related launches. While details remain undisclosed, these initiatives are expected to play a key role in Exactly.com’s next phase of growth.