Helping Filipino SMEs Keep Pace with Evolving Payment Preferences

Ingenico and HitPay deploy smart terminal solutions to simplify card, e-wallet, and QR code acceptance for small merchants.

In the Philippines, small businesses have always been at the center of the economy. From family-run eateries to boutique retail shops and travel operators catering to tourists, SMEs drive over 60% of the country's employment and contribute significantly to GDP.

But as consumer behaviors shift toward digital-first experiences, many SMEs have found it challenging to keep pace. Cash remains common, yet customers increasingly expect to pay with cards, e-wallets, or QR codes. For SMEs, not meeting those expectations means lost sales.

Now, a partnership between Ingenico and HitPay is helping Filipino SMEs embrace the digital payments revolution with solutions designed to be simple, affordable, and scalable.

The AXIUM DX8000 Advantage

At the heart of the collaboration is the Ingenico AXIUM DX8000 Android smart terminal, a next-generation device that integrates seamlessly with HitPay's software platform. Together, they provide merchants with a single solution to accept every major payment method:

• Cards, QR Ph, GCash, and other local e-wallets
• Alternative payment methods (APMs)
• Cross-border QR acceptance, critical for serving international tourists

For SMEs, the benefits go beyond just acceptance. The solution also offers faster settlement cycles and next-day payouts, giving businesses quicker access to cash flow, which is valuable for retailers and restaurateurs operating on tight margins.

Meeting Consumers Where They Are

Payment habits in the Philippines are evolving rapidly. QR Ph adoption accelerated following the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas mandate for full implementation by July 2023. E-wallet usage is at an all-time high, and international visitors expect the convenience of using their preferred digital wallets while traveling.

This is where the partnership between Ingenico and HitPay makes a difference. By integrating with a global payments network and leveraging established banking relationships, the solution unifies local and international acceptance, enabling SMEs to serve both domestic customers and tourists seamlessly.

Empowering SMEs Across Key Sectors

The partnership is rolling out first across retail, F&B, and travel industries, where the shift to digital payments is most pronounced.

• Retail: Independent stores can now compete with larger chains by offering modern payment acceptance.
• Food & Beverage: From neighborhood cafes to restaurant chains, merchants benefit from faster settlements and more convenient checkout experiences.
• Travel: Cross-border QR acceptance allows hotels, tour operators, and transport services to welcome tourists without the friction of foreign exchange or limited payment options.

A Scalable Rollout

Initial deployments have already begun, with hundreds of merchants live and thousands more expected in the next few years. HitPay projects steady growth as SMEs increasingly adopt digital solutions to meet consumer demand.

Building Toward Financial Inclusion

The partnership enhances convenience and promotes financial inclusion by providing SMEs access to advanced payment technology, enabling more merchants to participate in the digital economy.

With a comprehensive ecosystem approach, incorporating major payment processors and established financial institutions, it provides Filipino merchants with enterprise-grade payment infrastructure while maintaining the simplicity that small businesses need.

This is particularly important in the Philippines, where the SME sector is vast but underserved. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the number of unbanked Filipinos dropped to 44% in 2021 from 65% in 2017, but a sizeable portion of the population remains unbanked.

Providing these businesses with modern payment solutions not only strengthens their operations but also contributes to the broader digitalization of the economy. HitPay operates as a BSP-regulated payment platform in the Philippines, ensuring compliance with local financial regulations while serving over 20,000 small businesses across the region.

Looking Ahead

The consumer payment journey is changing faster than ever, and SMEs need partners that can help them adapt. With the AXIUM DX8000, HitPay's intuitive platform, and the backing of a global payments network, Ingenico is ensuring Filipino merchants can meet those expectations. It’s not just about terminals or transactions, but about giving SMEs the confidence to grow, serve more customers, and play their part in the Philippines' digital future.

The partnership between Ingenico and HitPay represents more than a technology rollout. It demonstrates how collaboration across the payment value chain can democratize access to enterprise-grade solutions. As consumer payment habits continue to evolve, SMEs in the Philippines are better positioned than ever to thrive.