Close the Checkout Gaps that Consistently Lose Conversions

Consumers arrive at checkout with a clear intent to move forward, yet checkout gaps continue to interrupt their experience. These barriers create familiar friction points that are echoed by what consumers express while shopping. 

To make sense of what these gaps mean for retail businesses, it helps to look at why consumers don’t complete transactions, and what steps can be taken to respond to their concerns. Let's look at these pressure points and see how lease-to-own (LTO) offers consumers the option to shop the way they want, and how Acima can help retailers turn walkaways into revenue-driving conversions. 

The Checkout Gaps That Lead to Lost Conversions 

Lack of Options Leads to Lost Purchases 

Consumer perspective: "I can’t shop the way I want." 

Consumers expect purchase methods that match how they manage their everyday shopping. When those options aren’t available, many stop before checking out.  

This kind of mismatch is one reason transactions go unfinished. A 2025 survey helps illustrate the pattern. For essential purchases, 29.1% of consumers said they would delay the transaction, and 32.7% said they would walk away completely if their first checkout choice wasn’t available. [1]  

Limited Paths for Consumers in Need of Alternatives to Financing  

Consumer perspective: "I don’t qualify for credit cards or financing." 

Many consumers move through checkout believing they can continue, only to be denied at the last step. The scale of that gap is significant. Approximately 76 million adults in the United States are considered credit-challenged, including 61 million with less than perfect credit history and 16 million with no credit file. [2]  

When financing or credit cards are the only options, these consumers often leave a store earlier than expected, even when they intend to purchase and have the means to do so. For retailers, these walkaways appear as consumers who could have been served in big-ticket categories. 

Confusing Checkout Steps Drive Drop-Off 

Consumer perspective: "I don’t trust this step of the process." 

Consumers expect checkout to be straightforward. Even small moments of confusion or distrust can slow them down. [3] A 2025 report found that 46% of U.S. consumers felt unsure about completing a transaction due to concerns about checkout safety. [4] When requirements aren’t clear, consumers pause. They’re not rejecting the item. They’re responding to a process that no longer feels simple to finish. 

Slow Checkout Means Abandoned Carts and Missed Revenue 

Consumer perspective: "This is taking too long." 

About 18% of U.S. online consumers abandoned an order because the checkout felt too long or too complicated. [5] Consumers want a fast and simple path to checkout. If that momentum breaks, consumers often leave before the transaction is complete. 

How LTO Helps Close These Checkout Gaps 

LTO meets the needs of consumers who cannot use credit cards or financing at checkout. It adds support where gaps commonly occur and helps retailers move more transactions to the finish line. 

Reaches Consumers Who Are Often Declined 

Consumer perspective: “This is the first time I’ve seen something I might qualify for.” 

LTO introduces a pathway that keeps more consumers engaged in the shopping experience when credit options are unavailable. The application is straightforward to complete and helps retailers serve consumers seeking a way to shop without using credit. (Not a credit or financing transaction. Approval requires review of consumer reports.) 

Supports Big-Ticket Transactions with Optional Lease Renewal Payments 

Consumer perspective: “This makes shopping feel possible for me.” 

If a consumer is approved for a lease agreement with Acima, they could be eligible to receive an approved lease amount that can support higher-value items or combined selections during their shopping experience. Consumers may be eligible for up to $5,000 in merchandise, which gives them the option to take home the quality goods they really want. 

LTO Helps Serve More Consumers at Checkout 

Understanding where consumers hesitate helps retailers see where strong intent loses momentum. Addressing these gaps, including through LTO, creates a checkout environment that keeps more consumers engaged and moving forward.  

Apply today to talk with the Acima team and learn how LTO can level up your checkout strategy. 

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. PYMNTS. What consumers do when their go-to credit choice is unavailable. 
2. Equifax. Alternative data: Frequently asked questions. 
3. Baymard Institute. Cart abandonment rate. 
4. Checkout.com. Digital economy report. 
5. Shopify. How to create a faster checkout process.