Boku a global network for localised payment solutions has announce that it now supports BLIK, the instant payment system in Poland, as a payment method for Google Play Store. With this launch, BLIK’s 16.3 million active users will be able to use their preferred payment method when making purchases from the Google Play Store.
BLIK is Boku’s first account to account (A2A) connection with Google. The new integration extends the strong relationship that the global payments network already has with Google through Boku’s Direct Carrier Billing solution. Offering BLIK as a payment option will enable Google to grow its current user base on the Google Play Store. Furthermore, enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty amongst Poland’s mobile-first consumers who want quicker and more convenient payment choices.
BLIK is a key payment system in Poland. The solution offers a fast, secure and convenient payment method where users do not have to give their data to fulfil a payment. Last year. The system allows users to make instant payments and withdraw cash using only the user’s standard mobile banking app. The National Bank of Poland classified BLIK as one of the “significant retail payment systems” in the Polish market. It is now the most frequently used payment method for online purchases in the country with half of the adult population using its services.
BLIK gaining popularity
BLIK is gaining popularity, as evidenced by both consistently growing transactional results and the number of active users. The service reached 16.3 million in the first quarter of 2024. In the first three months of 2024, users completed 518 million transactions, of which 264.9 million were in online stores. This represents a 28 percent increase of e-commerce payments compared to the same period in 2023.
Stuart Neal, Boku’s CEO, commented, “We are very pleased to see BLIK go live as a payment option for Google Play Store in Poland. This is our first A2A connection with Google, a company we have had a relationship with for several years, providing them with Direct Carrier Billing solutions. Our mission at Boku is to support people everywhere to pay for services they love the way they want. To allow global merchants to seamlessly offer localised payment choice in order to unlock new growth around the world. With local payment methods continuing to grow in popularity, we are excited to be part of Google’s future payment innovation.”
Magdalena Kubisa, Director Of Business Development at BLIK, commented: “BLIK is a versatile payment method that is already the top choice for online purchase for many Poles. Therefore, we are delighted to expand our network of availability, and through collaboration with Boku. BLIK will be one of the available payment methods for Google Play. For us, this is another strategic step in the development and growth of our system.”
eCommerce in Poland
According to industry analysts Statista, internet penetration in Poland has grown to over 93% for users aged 7 to 75. Nearly two-thirds of the Polish population bought goods and services online in 2023. Within five years, the rate of online shoppers rose by nearly 20 percentage points. The COVID-19 pandemic has positively impacted the eCommerce market, reflected in the increased sales and the number of newly established online shops. The outlook for the Polish eCommerce market is very optimistic, with revenues expected to rise to $20.5 billion in 2029.
Enterprise Times: What this means for businesses
Poland, like elsewhere in Europe, is enjoying the rapid growth in eCommerce. As a result, enterprises have to find reliable, secure payment solutions to meet their needs. However, what is unique to Poland is the use of the BLIK payment system.
Blik is a single use payment method that requires customers to authenticate their payments. When customers want to pay online using BLIK, they request a six-digit code from their banking app. They enter it into the payment collection form. The bank sends a push notification to the customer’s mobile phone asking to authorise payment inside their banking app. The BLIK code is valid for 2 minutes; customers have 60 seconds to authorise the payment after starting a payment. After 60 seconds, it times out, and they must request a new BLIK code. Customers typically approve BLIK payments in less than 10 seconds.
For any enterprise offering services across markets, it is important to ensure their customers can pay using their preferred method. So, when in Rome, do as the Romans. If selling into Poland, then businesses must offer BLIK as a payment method. Hence the sensible decision by Boku to add BLIK as a payment method on the Google Play Store.
