Our second annual benchmark evaluates 10 leading cash-back credit cards, with no annual fee, across seven feature categories. It weights their scores according to the results of a survey of US cash-back credit card prospects.

On today's episode, we discuss how much longer Google can own the internet, whether buy now, pay later (BNPL) is in flux, how much Big Tech companies want live sports, whether online shopping is confusing, how best to market to Gen Z, an unpopular opinion about buying things on social media, what influences gas prices, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of reports editing Rahul Chadha, director of forecasting Oscar Orozco, and vice president of Briefings Stephanie Taglianetti.

Life is good for credit card issuers, but worsening economic conditions could endanger their $160 billion revenue stream. They must act decisively to ensure they’re still meeting consumers’ changing needs.

As the online BNPL space saturates, Afterpay and Klarna are turning to in-store partners to fuel growth.

A looming recession and global turmoil threaten US incumbent banks’ bottom lines. But refocusing on core tech priorities and consumer needs will help banks reclaim the high ground in the fight for customers and talent.

Zip said it plans to focus on its core business instead—we look at what it means for both providers.

Younger generations expect quick responses from brands: Gen Zers and millennials prefer text messaging over email with brands to facilitate faster communication.

In the US, 55.1% of Gen Z digital buyers ages 14 and older will use a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service at least once this year. That figure drops to 48.6% for millennial digital buyers and becomes progressively smaller among older generations.

BNPL providers are in the eye of a perfect storm, as investor and regulatory scrutiny, increasing competition, and the prospect of recession put them at risk. But it’s still early days—and we see foresee a long growth runway. Read on to learn how retailers and providers can navigate the current landscape to their maximum benefit.

The solution lets customers store their loyalty cards in the Klarna app, which may help encourage use.

The solution can let PayPal tap higher-dollar-value purchases and brings its program in line with BNPL competitors.

In 2022, 79.0 million US consumers will use a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service.

Klarna is the most popular buy now, pay later (BNPL) service in the US, with 34.8 million users ages 14 and older. Afterpay takes the No. 2 spot with 20.0 million, and Affirm comes in third with 14.0 million.

Super apps in Asia, such as WeChat, Alipay, and mobile messaging app Line, have dominated ecommerce and online services in the region for years. Now, some Western apps are trying to build their own super apps by creating marketplaces next to their core financial, social, or delivery services. Most of these apps use a combination of monetization methods, including commissions and ad serving.

These deals could help both firms sustain business as recession fears, higher competition, and looming BNPL regulation threaten growth.

BNPL attracts users who are higher-risk and younger than the general credit-seeking population, a TransUnion study found.

By 2026, nearly 30% of US consumers’ average retail spending (excluding food and beverage sales and ticketing) will be made using proximity mobile payments, as providers look to build on the pandemic-driven adoption of the technology.

How should businesses view these global trends and events? How are behaviors and spending changing? In this report, Insider Intelligence analysts weigh in on the questions they’re being asked by both clients and the media about the shifting landscape in key areas like digital advertising, retail and ecommerce, and financial services.