Buy now pay later spend to soar, fuelled by macro-economic pressures
BNPL schemes allow consumers to pay using regular interest-free installments, which is attractive to those reliant on credit for purchases. Additionally, BNPL only requires soft credit checks; making it easier to access than credit.
Debt trap necessitates regulation
The research found that the most significant issue currently facing the BNPL market is the debt trap. BNPL’s lack of credit checks poses a considerable market hurdle, as consumers are being approved for larger loans than they are actually able to repay. However, the report predicts that the introduction of financial regulations in several countries will help alleviate this issue.
These new regulations are similar in nature to existing credit services. In markets where regulations are softer, it is still vital that vendors act responsibly and clearly communicate all incurred debts promptly to users, to help minimise repayment default rates.
Research author Dominique Tetnowski explained: “Though the future of the market seems unclear given the plethora of impending regulatory changes, enforcing legislation for eligibility checks will ensure the market develops securely.”
Expansion into new verticals needed
The research predicts that BNPL vendors must look to provide services in alternative verticals to diversify their monetisation opportunities, as e-commerce becomes oversaturated with solutions. It identified the healthcare sector as an emerging opportunity for vendors, owing to a lower risk of defaulting payments from overspending in comparison to the e-commerce market.
As such, vendors must look to make strategic partnerships with established healthcare providers to offer BNPL services to healthcare users, ensuring successful entry into the market.
