Sportega Expands Payment Options Across 13 Markets Thanks to Cooperation with TrustPay

Sportega, a popular e-shop for sports equipment, operates in as many as 13 European markets and has gained popularity among sports enthusiasts thanks to its wide range of products, quality brands, and exceptional customer service. To make shopping even more pleasant and convenient for its customers, it teamed up with the payment gateway TrustPay, which brought modern and localized payment solutions to its platform.

Challenge

Although Sportega already offered some alternative payment methods, it lacked truly local options, those tailored to the specifics of each market. With growing ambitions to strengthen its presence across Europe while increasing conversion rates, it was clear that the payment method needed to align with the expectations and purchasing habits of customers in each country.

“We wanted the customer to feel as comfortable as possible when paying and not leave just because their preferred payment method wasn’t available.”
— Jaroslav Schauer, CFO Sportega

Solution

TrustPay introduced a wide portfolio of local payment methods into Sportega’s online sales environment, which played a key role in increasing sales in several markets:

Netherlands: Significant growth after implementing iDEAL and optimizing the payment process

Before the introduction of the local payment method iDEAL in May 2024, card payments accounted for about 69% of all transactions. Total monthly revenue at that time was around EUR 10,000. However, the implementation of iDEAL significantly changed customer behavior, shortly after launch, as many as 59% of all paying customers in the Netherlands chose this option.

At the same time, the share of card payments fell to 16%, confirming that Dutch customers clearly prefer solutions familiar and accessible in their domestic environment.

In addition to the increased volume of payments, the change of payment gateway also brought a notable improvement in order completion. Whereas with the previous provider the cancellation rate exceeded 20%, after switching to TrustPay, it dropped to approximately 6%, thanks to a faster and more reliable payment process.

Belgium: Successful implementation of Bancontact and a threefold increase in revenue

Before launching the Bancontact payment method in July 2024, card payments made up 67% of all transactions. Monthly revenue in Belgium hovered around EUR 8,000, with alternative payment methods playing only a marginal role.

After integrating Bancontact and changing the payment provider, the situation changed dramatically – monthly revenue tripled. Bancontact quickly established itself as the second most used payment method, accounting for 27% of all transactions in Belgium. Despite this, traditional card payments maintained a strong position with a 47% share.

The change of payment provider and the addition of a locally preferred solution not only contributed to revenue growth but also improved customer experience and increased order completion rates.

Poland: Rapid market entry and success with Blik payments

Poland was a new market for Sportega, which it entered in April 2024. Just a month later, in cooperation with TrustPay, the local payment method Blik was launched, which immediately became the dominant solution for Polish customers.

Today, Blik accounts for about 50% of all online payments, confirming its strong market position and customer trust. Card payments represent a 19% share, while bank transfers make up about 5%.

However, a specific feature of the Polish market is the significant share of cash-on-delivery purchases, which account for as much as 21% of all orders. This made it essential to offer a fast, simple, and trustworthy online alternative, something that was successfully achieved with the implementation of Blik in the first months of market presence.

Payment habits are local, and that’s why they matter

Customer payment behavior varies significantly from country to country. People are used to what works for them, what they know and trust. If they don’t find their favorite payment method during checkout, they may simply abandon the purchase.

That’s why it’s essential for international merchants to offer payments tailored to local habits.

This data clearly shows that localized payments are not just a “nice-to-have,” but a key factor in customers’ decisions to complete a purchase.

In addition to the key markets where Sportega saw significant results after implementing local payment solutions, it also expanded its payment mix with other methods that reflect customer preferences and specifics in each country:

• Cartes Bancaires – a popular French debit and credit card, essential for merchants operating effectively in the French market.
• eps (Electronic Payment Standard) – a bank transfer supported by Austria’s largest banks, allowing Austrian customers to pay directly from their trusted banking environment.
• MyBank – a solution popular especially in Italy, enabling secure online payments directly from the user’s internet banking.
• Satispay – a modern payment app favored by Italian customers, allowing fast and easy mobile payments without needing a payment card.
• Payconiq – an increasingly popular mobile payment in Belgium and Luxembourg, appealing mainly to the younger demographic accustomed to mobile technologies.
• Instant bank transfers – available to customers in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland, offering a reliable and fast alternative to card payments, especially for larger amounts or more conservative buyers.

This wide range of localized payment options ensures that Sportega can offer relevant and trustworthy solutions to its customers in various markets while also reducing the risk of purchase abandonment due to a missing preferred payment method.

Customers can also pay with cards, as well as through Google Pay and Apple Pay. Sportega is among the innovators, for example by enabling Apple Pay payments via QR code on desktop, allowing customers to enjoy the speed and convenience of Apple Pay even when shopping on desktop, without needing to reach for their card.

“With TrustPay, we can very flexibly respond to customer preferences in each country. That gives us a competitive advantage.”
— Jaroslav Schauer, CFO Sportega

Results

Thanks to localized payment methods, Sportega was able to get even closer to its customers and align with their expectations in each country. The result is:

• A significant increase in transactions in key markets
• Higher conversion and reduced cart abandonment rates
• Customers pay faster and more conveniently

TrustPay also enabled Sportega to brand the payment window, which strengthens brand trust and maintains visual consistency throughout the entire shopping process.

“Being able to customize the payment window strengthened our brand – customers stay in a familiar environment until the very last step of the purchase, and even during payment they see our logo and design they’re used to.”
— Jaroslav Schauer, CFO Sportega

Collaboration and Support

TrustPay provided comprehensive support from the beginning, from the integration phase to regular care. Sportega has a dedicated account manager who responds promptly and assists with the further development of the payment strategy. Thanks to this, Sportega can move forward confidently, knowing its payment solutions grow with them.