Even for some luxury brands, authenticity trumps production quality when it comes to influencer marketing. That’s the case for American Express, which uses a mix of long- and short-term influencers to promote its products and services in a way that feels organic to the influencers’ aesthetic.

People in France were early adopters of smart payment cards, including chip-and-PIN and contactless technology. That has stifled proximity mobile payment adoption, with just 15.6% of France’s smartphone users expected to pay with their phone in-store in 2019.

Less than 13% of smartphone users in Germany will use proximity mobile payments this year—one of the lowest rates in Europe. User numbers will increase slowly, but privacy concerns and the popularity of cash and card payments will curtail adoption.

The global payment market will hit a major milestone in 2020: 1.06 billion people are expected to make a proximity mobile payment. But even as countries like China and Sweden take steps toward a cashless society, most of the world will still rely on cash and cards.

Growth in proximity mobile payment use in the UK remains slow but steady. Against a strong headwind of contactless card use, mobile payments have struggled to take hold, though young consumer use offers a glimmer of hope.

Mobile payments—both proximity payments and P2P transfers—continue to grow rapidly in volume. User growth is slowing, and increased spending will primarily come from existing users spending more often via mobile phones.

This report series explores how companies are building a data-driven, 360-degree customer view to support relevant customer experiences across every touchpoint.

Mobile payments have been thought to be on the cusp of widespread adoption for several years now. But most consumers have responded to the technology with a noncommittal shrug.

Direct-to-consumer brands like Everlane and Bonobos, fast casual grain bowl chain Sweetgreen and beauty salon Drybar are just a few businesses that have adopted a cashless model. But consumers aren't necessarily ready to do away with cash.

Adoption of mobile payments varies widely from market to market around the world. The US, with a robust banking and credit system, has been slow to adopt mobile payments, but behaviors are changing. In this three-pack podcast playlist, we discuss market drivers and where the industry is going next.

This year, 55.0 million people in the US will use mobile payments, making up 20.2% of the population, according to eMarketer estimates.