The news: Google Pay added Klarna to its in-app BNPL roster of Affirm, Zip, and Afterpay. Our take: Klarna’s late adoption of a physical card like Affirm’s Affirm Card in the US set the BNPL provider back in terms of capturing a wider user base and payment volume. Integrations like Google Pay and Apple Pay can help overcome that gap—though Affirm also has partnerships with both Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Grocery delivery intermediaries like DoorDash and Uber are gaining ground, offering new ways to reach high-intent shoppers. Meanwhile, retailers like Walmart and Amazon continue to lead with strong delivery infrastructure and valuable customer data.

The news: Klarna partnered with Nift, a gift platform, to offer “gift”-style rewards for customers’ BNPL purchases. Our take: Until they can close that gap, BNPL players will struggle to attract a meaningful share of shoppers. It’s one reason we forecast BNPL user growth will slow every year through 2029.

The news: US inflation ticked up 0.1% last month and 2.4% YoY, a softer read than many economists expected but one that kept the pressure on consumers already dealing with a higher cost of living. Our take: Retailers, especially grocers and discounters, can set themselves apart by helping consumers save money and be more financially responsible. Offering digital coupons, using in-store signage spotlighting sales on daily essentials, and rewarding loyal shoppers for repeat purchases can foster smarter spending.

The ease and novelty of BNPL loans can rapidly snowball into a crisis for already financially fragile consumers.

Italy’s digital landscape is evolving fast, driven by shifting consumer and media habits and increasing ecommerce adoption. Recent data reveals the trends shaping digital spending, retail sales, and more.

Shifting consumer preference toward fixed installments shows how BNPL can compete with credit cards’ incentives.

Partnerships and AI adoption powered the BNPL company’s lead over competitors.

The global payments industry will be a $2.3 trillion revenue opportunity in 2028. But shifting business models, new technologies, and alternative payment methods are changing how key card players compete for a share of this revenue.

Partnerships are key to breaking into brick and mortar, but generational mattress-shopping divides could mute the deal’s effectiveness.

The partnership highlights the importance of individual merchant deals and larger platform tie-ups

The BNPL provider pushed the Affirm Card and notched new partnerships to stay ahead of competition.

Gen Zers are most likely to experience a problem with the payment method. These concerns could weaken BNPL transaction growth

To compete, fintech still must measure up against regulated and consumer-favorite card-linked installment plans.

Despite being a leader in AI use, the BNPL provider said leaning on AI for customer service lowered support quality

Economic uncertainty could derail its efforts to reinvigorate growth

The BNPL provider is racking up partners in a major expansion push before its now-delayed IPO

The BNPL provider is taking the lead on credit reporting as the industry waits for regulatory clarity

In-store payments provide a new growth avenue for BNPL providers facing slower industrywide volume growth

Even so, issuers may be slow to lift preemptive APR increases as they brace for economic turbulence