Responding to the growing demand for at-home print solutions, leading printer manufacturer Epson has teamed up with GoCardless, a leading fintech for bank-to-bank payments, to accelerate the rollout of its ReadyPrint ink subscription service. Epson customers can now benefit from a reliable and economic way to print at home with subscriptions from as low as £1.29/month - saving customers between 70 and 90 per cent depending on the plan they choose. 

From printing schoolwork to work documents, Epson research found that seven in 10 (67 per cent) people say the printer has become one of the key pieces of home technology they have found most useful in lockdown. 

Despite restrictions lifting, working from home will continue to be part of many people’s lives. Almost half (47 per cent) of those who mainly worked from an office or other work location before lockdown expect to work from home in the future - paving the way for more people to consider new ways to buy printer ink.

By using GoCardless’ global bank debit network, Epson was able to offer direct debit payments across nine countries through one platform when ReadyPrint launched, greatly accelerating their speed-to-market. They also saw an increase in conversion: After introducing GoCardless, Epson contacted consumers who previously dropped out of the ReadyPrint payment journey, notifying them direct debit was now on offer. Of those, 80 per cent went on to complete their purchase. 

There was also a clear preference for direct debit by geography. Eighty percent of customers in the Netherlands and Germany now pay with GoCardless, boosting conversion rates in those countries by 40 to 50 per cent and bringing them in line with Epson’s other European markets.

Mauro Bartoletti, Epson Europe Head of Digital Programs, said: “Those who consider payment methods to be an auxiliary part of their proposition couldn’t be more wrong. A choice of payment methods matters to customers as much as a choice of services and Direct Debit must be one of those choices. As a customer-centric business, we are thrilled to now offer GoCardless, an option that our subscribers clearly prefer.”

With the average UK household spending £552 a year on subscription services, Epson joins GoCardless’ growing portfolio of businesses offering subscriptions such as Brompton Bikes and Bridgestone Tyres. 

Stephen Reidy, VP and General Manager, Northern Europe, at GoCardless said: “The subscription economy is booming as companies big and small have shown customers they can have both convenience and great service for treats and essentials -- from printing ink to bikes to tyres. Epson’s ReadyPrint subscription is perfect for the hybrid working model many of us will adopt after lockdown restrictions ease. We’re excited to continue working with Epson to offer a low-cost, highly preferred and seamless way to pay as they build on the momentum of this launch.”