Similarly, when Mondi and Karmasin Research & Identity surveyed consumers in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Romania in late 2020, 57% of respondents across all countries said they were prepared to pay more for packaging that was sufficiently protective, easily reused/recycled, and made of environmentally friendly materials.

It’s moving into additional markets in 2022, including the Czech Republic, Greece, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Poland. However, HBO Max won’t launch in several markets—Austria, Germany, Italy, Ireland, and the UK—until 2025 at the earliest due to HBO’s pre-existing contracts with Sky that prevent it from doing so. Newer underdog entrants are attempting to undercut established players on price.

The Payflex acquisition also reflects Zip’s growth tactic—expanding via acquisitions instead of direct moves into new markets: In May, Zip acquired United Arab Emirates-based BNPL firm Spotii and Czech Republic-based provider Twisto. The opportunity: Zip’s Payflex acquisition might be a catalyst for further expansion into Africa.