Positioning Lease-to-Own Within Today’s Retail Purchase Mix

09/23/25

Retailers are offering a shifting mix of checkout options as consumers look for more ways to purchase. While digital wallets [1] and BNPL adoption [2] are broadening within the U.S., millions of consumers are still credit-invisible or unscoreable [3]. This gap creates an opportunity for lease-to-own (LTO) with Acima that existing purchase stacks can often overlook. 

The Growth of Alternative Purchase Options 

A 2024 survey found that 51% of consumers consider convenience a top factor when selecting a shopping channel [4]. Another showed that 70% say the availability of their preferred purchase option influences where they shop [5]. Together, these results highlight how convenience and choice work hand in hand in shaping shopping decisions, setting the stage for the rapid changes now visible in purchase behavior. 

In 2025, the mix of payment methods is expected to shift quickly. BNPL use had grown to one in five consumers in 2023, and 57% of U.S. adults were using digital wallets in 2024. These changes underscore how fast checkout expectations are ramping up. [6] [1] 

The Underserved Consumer Segment 

Most purchase options are built for consumers to use credit, cash or financing, leaving out many potential customers. Nineteen percent of Americans have limited access to credit, which can lead to abandoned purchases when alternatives to credit or financing aren’t available. [3] 

Many consumers can drop to non-prime status after a life event like job loss, divorce or a medical crisis. To bring home the items they want, these consumers need a way to shop without relying on credit. LTO offers that solution, giving them access to what they need, without using credit. (Not a credit or financing transaction. Approval will require review of consumer reports.)  

Meeting Consumer Needs with LTO 

LTO isn’t competing with other purchase options. It fills a gap that other options might not cover. With that, retailers benefit from: 

  • Higher Consumer Approval Rates – Expands access deeper into the credit scoring spectrum by evaluating consumers across a range of requirements [7] 
  • Revenue Strategy Support – Engages consumers who would otherwise walk away or abandon their cart 
  • Improved Consumer Experience – Enhances checkout with the Acima app and eCommerce integrations  

By integrating LTO alongside other purchase options, retailers can work toward capturing the full spectrum of consumer purchase needs.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

How Can Acima Be Integrated into a Website? 

Acima offers pre-built shopping cart plugins compatible with several eCommerce platforms. 

Including: 

  • Big Commerce 
  • Shopify 
  • Magento 
  • WooCommerce 
  • ChargeAfter 

Acima also has Sandbox and production API credentials, allowing you to test the application end-to-end before going live. Together, these options let retailers integrate quickly and test confidently before launch. 

How Does Acima Leasing Support Retailers in Promoting Lease-to-Own Options? 

  • The Acima merchant portal provides access to LTO transactions and point-of-purchase materials that explain the benefits 
  • Acima’s email remarketing campaigns keep LTO top of mind 
  • Store locations gain visibility through the in-store locator  
  • The Acima marketplace and mobile app extend reach for consumers who want to use their lease approval 

Where do retailers learn more about Acima? 

Retailers who own a brick-and-mortar or online store location can explore more on the Acima partner pages. 

 

Putting LTO Into Practice with Acima 

For businesses in the home and durable goods retail industry, LTO is more than an alternative to financing. It can provide retailers with a way to broaden their offerings as consumer preferences and needs shift. 

Most purchase stacks already serve consumers with established credit. Adding LTO reaches the remaining segment seeking ownership without using credit, turning lost purchases into completed transactions. (Not a credit or financing transaction. Approval will require review of consumer reports.) 

 

Connect with Acima today to discuss how to build LTO into your purchase options. 

The content of this article is provided solely for general interest and should not be relied upon or construed as any form of advice, whether legal, financial, or otherwise. Receipt or use of this information does not create any sort of relationship between us. 


Sources

  1. Capital One Shopping. Digital wallet statistics
  2. PYMNTS. BNPL expands as credit holds firm
  3. Experian. Driving growth with greater credit access: White paper
  4. PYMNTS. How choice, confidence, and convenience drive payments optimization
  5. PYMNTS. 70% of shoppers say payment options influence where they shop online
  6. Capital One Shopping. Buy now, pay later statistics
  7. Acima. Inclusive shopping options white paper