Two-thirds of suppliers say that they're willing to accept a discount on their invoices in exchange for faster payment, as growing economic pressures have businesses prioritizing cash-in-hand.

According to a survey of more than 10,800 suppliers from fintech platform SAP Taulia, just 37% of invoices were paid on time in 2025, down from 42% the previous year, and from 54% in 2019. For suppliers who had to deal with late payments, 18% reported waiting 1-15 days past the due date, up from 17% in 2024. That has them focusing on maintaining steady cash flow, especially with a quarter seeing their profits squeezed by rising tariffs over the last year.

"In an environment where supply chain planning is essential for survival, the ability to convert receivables into cash quickly has become a competitive advantage," the report explained. "The data highlights a growing trend of front-foot management, where suppliers are no longer waiting for buyers to dictate terms, but are actively seeking ways to shore up their balance sheets."

As a result, suppliers are "reassessing every available lever," added SAP Taulia global head of customer success Peddy Hashemi, including early payment programs and alternative financing, all to ensure that they can maintain operations and preserve the stability of their supply chains. SAP's research indicates that, moving forward, on-time payments to suppliers will continue to fall off in 2026, making it essential to find reliable ways to bring cash in quickly, even if it means continuing to offer discounts on outstanding invoices.