Two thirds of UK retailers (69%) report improvements in at least one area of their business sales and performance metrics as a direct result of offering Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) payment to customers. Among the UK retailers offering BNPL payment, the most common benefit delivered is increase in sales conversion, with 61% of BNPL-accepting retailers indicating that it had improved their access to new-to-business customers. This drove growth in revenue for more than half (52%) of- and profits for more than a third (37%) of BNPL-accepting retailers.

With more than 17 million UK consumers having used BNPL services, new customer acquisition improved for 59% of retailers and just under half (43%) said customers were making more frequent purchases.

Despite the clear benefits that BNPL delivers for retailers, more than half (63%) of retailers still claim they are not interested in offering it as a payment method. The most common reason given is a lack of relevance. Some retailers are wary about the criticism of this soon to be regulated market with concerns that consumers can run into trouble if they miss their payment instalments; leading them onto a dangerous spiral of debt. The UK government announced last month that it will require BNPL providers to conduct credit checks on users of its services and register with the Financial Conduct Authority, but this may not take effect until 2024.

Our research also shows that one in five UK retailers are concerned about exposing their business to credit risk; highlighting a lack of understanding about how BNPL works since the BNPL provider takes that risk, not the retailer.

“Even though there’s a fee for retailers to offer BNPL as a payment option, most retailers report a clear improvement in sales and other performance metrics. Our research shows that the lack of awareness among retailers of the benefits of BNPL is acting as a clear barrier to growth. Rectifying these misperceptions and educating non-accepting retailers will be key to accelerating the uptake of BNPL in the UK and globally.”

From reduced fees to streamlined onboarding and contract flexibility, retailers are receptive to a range of incentives to begin accepting BNPL. Retailers are increasingly moving towards offering multiple BNPL options to their customers. This is good news for consumers who use BNPL to budget and manage their cashflow to avoid debt, staying with a single provider helps them keep better track of their credit record.

Further, not being able to access their preferred payment service is one of the key reasons consumers cite as something that can drive them to an alternative retailer. With inflation creating the biggest cost of living crisis to hit UK consumers in decades, it is in the interest of retailers to provide payment choices. Those that do are more likely to increase repeat purchasing and their bottom line.