As inflation pressures budgets, more consumers are turning to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services, not only for large purchases but also for everyday needs like groceries. 15 million U.S. consumers, or 6.5% of the population, used BNPL for such expenses last year. This shift is part of a broader trend towards flexible payment solutions, particularly in e-commerce. The BNPL market is expected to grow significantly, reaching $167.58 billion by 2032, a compound growth rate of 20.7%.
Companies like Block and Affirm are well-positioned in this expanding market. Block, with its diverse offerings including Cash App and Square, has seen a 62% stock increase in six months, outperforming the S&P 500. Meanwhile, Affirm, known for partnerships with major retailers, also shows robust potential despite some short-term challenges. However, Block is currently favored by analysts, predicted to have stronger growth compared to Affirm.
Read the full article here.