buy now, pay later

As the cost of living spirals in Iran, residents are opting to use 'buy now, pay later' methods. This worsening economic crisis, exacerbated by the US-Israeli war, has led businesses to introduce instalment plans and food delivery services to cut portion sizes.

A survey by Zenoti found that 46% of Americans would take on debt to maintain their beauty routines, with 22% cutting grocery spending and 33% increasing wellness spending due to workplace stress. Consumers are adjusting spending habits by spacing out visits, using memberships, and opting for at-home treatments like facials and hair coloring.

A survey by Zenoti found 46% of Americans would take on debt to maintain their beauty routines, with 22% cutting grocery spending to afford it. Many are adjusting spending by spacing out visits, using memberships, or opting for at-home treatments like facials and hair coloring.

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) debt is increasing as Americans use it to purchase groceries, with nearly 1 in 4 users taking out loans for this purpose. Half of BNPL users missed at least one payment in the past year, leading to fees, interest, and potential credit score damage. Financial experts warn against using BNPL unless payments can be made on time.

One in five Americans are using personal savings to pay for groceries, according to a study by the Urban Institute. Rising grocery prices in April, driven by higher fuel costs linked to the Iran conflict, weather impacts, and trade policies, have prompted cost-cutting strategies like 'backwards shopping.' Additionally, 35% of consumers paid for groceries with credit cards in 2025, and nearly 10% used Buy Now, Pay Later services, with one-third missing payments.

Consumer groups warn that new 'buy now, pay later' rules could exclude millions of people. The overhaul of the £14 billion market requires lenders to conduct affordability checks.

Consumers are increasingly using buy now, pay later (BNPL) services for essential expenses such as groceries, rent, and utility bills. However, a rise in late payments among BNPL users highlights growing financial risks associated with this payment method.

Online spending during Amazon's Prime Day reached $26.4 billion, surpassing Adobe's initial estimate of $26.3 billion and showing a 9.3% increase from the previous year. Competitors like Walmart and Target offered overlapping promotions, while Adobe reported similar discount rates as last year, with 'buy now, pay later' features accounting for 6.6% of orders. Amazon stated it was 'pleased with the positive customer response' but criticized external data sources as 'often inaccurate.'

The retail industry reported strong first-quarter sales and profits, but high tax refunds and 'buy now, pay later' options are obscuring weaker consumer demand. The sector faces uncertainty as tax refunds diminish.

The 'Buy Now, Pay Later' payment method may affect Social Security recipients' benefits and financial stability, potentially in unforeseen ways. Retirees using this tool could face unexpected financial challenges related to their retirement income.

Food prices rose 0.68% in April, the largest monthly increase since August 2022, driven by supply chain disruptions from the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and higher oil prices due to a conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. Under the Biden administration, food inflation eased slightly, but it accelerated 3.16% since Trump took office, with Trump dismissing concerns about affordability.

Nearly a third of buy now, pay later users in the U.S. have used the service for groceries, doubling the share from two years ago. This highlights a growing trend in using installment loans for everyday purchases.