Stay ahead of the curve with this report on the buy now, pay later (BNPL) industry. A deep analysis of the competitive landscape provides the backdrop for Mintel consumer data, which offers an understanding of what consumers want from BNPL and why. Use this to your advantage and grow your business today. Below, we provide the key topics covered and handpicked insights from the report itself.
Key Topics Covered
- BNPL adoption levels.
- The types of BNPL providers consumers use.
- Interest levels in using BNPL across different categories.
- Top reasons consumers use BNPL.
- Attitudes towards BNPL.
BNPL Market Overview
BNPL has seen strong growth, driven by younger segments, with almost three-quarters of Millennials using it in the past year. Like other debt products, there is still the potential for financial overextension with missed payment fees (depending on the provider). While competition is intensifying, opportunities are open to pure-plays and traditional FIs alike to capitalise on demand.
The BNPL Consumer
- BNPL usage: Over half of consumers overall have used BNPL in the past year. Consumers using these usually interest-free loans find that these products offer a greater sense of predictability around spending.
- Reasons for using BNPL: Ease of use is the top driver of BNPL adoption among consumers. Subprime BNPL users are likely to be in financial difficulty, observed in 42% of consumers stating financial difficulty not wanting to pay lump sum as the reason for using BNPL.
- Interest in BNPL products: Consumers show interest in BNPL for healthcare purposes, providing an opportunity for partnerships in this area. Those financially struggling may see appeal in options allowing for preventative care, reducing issues further down the line.
What’s Next for BNPL?
BNPL providers should expect to see increased usage during the holiday season, and card issuers are in a good position to capitalise on this. For example, issuers can promote their fee-free introductory offers on BNPL solutions.
Find a complete analysis of opportunities for BNPL providers in the full report. Alternatively, browse our finance industry reports.
Leading Brands Referenced
Affirm, Amazon, Sezzle, Afterpay, Klarna, and more are analysed within the report scope, offering an understanding of the competitive landscape.
Additional Features Included in Your Report
Different Digital Formats: PDF for conveniently sharing with your team, PowerPoint for quickly including in your presentation, as well as an Excel Databook.
Mintel’s Clients Portal: Our portal offers instant access to actionable analysis and trends pieces relevant to your industry that are published almost daily. You can also browse for more market research reports.
Expert Analysis
Leading finance analyst Amr Hamdi offers expert industry insight with this report.
Those who stand out in the BNPL space will be the ones able to own the customer relationship across shopping, payments, and banking touchpoints.
Amr Hamdi
Finance Analyst
-
- Key Issues Covered in this Report
-
Executive Summary
- Consumer trends: key takeaways
- Graph 1: BNPL usage, by financial product ownership, 2023
- Graph 2: usage of BNPL providers in the past year, by self-reported credit score, 2023
- Opportunities
-
Consumer Insights
- The buy now, pay later consumer: fast facts
- BNPL usage
- Graph 3: BNPL usage in the past year, by generation, 2023
- Graph 4: usage of BNPL providers in the past year, 2023
- Graph 5: usage of BNPL providers in the past year, by generation, 2023
- Graph 6: usage of BNPL providers in the past year, by race and ethnicity, 2023
- Graph 7: types of products or services bought through BNPL in the past year, 2023
- BNPL interest in products and services
- Graph 8: interest in using BNPL for healthcare, by financial situation, 2023
- Graph 9: interest in using BNPL for home improvement, by generation, 2021 and 2023
- Reasons for using BNPL
- Graph 10: top reasons for using BNPL, 2023
- Graph 11: reasons for using BNPL, by financial situation, 2023
- Average purchase price willing to finance through BNPL
- Graph 12: average purchase price consumers would use BNPL for, 2021 and 2023
- Graph 13: average purchase price consumers would use BNPL for, by generation, 2023
- Consumer regrets with BNPL
- Graph 14: regrets using BNPL, 2023
- Graph 15: regrets using BNPL, by financial situation, 2023
- Graph 16: top reasons for regretting using BNPL, 2023
- Graph 17: top reasons for regretting using BNPL, by age, 2023
- Attitudes toward BNPL
- Graph 18: attitudes toward BNPL vs credit cards, by generation, 2023
- Graph 19: likelihood to shop at retailers that offer BNPL, by generation, 2023
- Graph 20: attitudes toward BNPL delinquency, by household income, 2023
-
Competitive Strategies
- Marketing and advertising
-
The Market
- Market context
- Market drivers
-
Appendix
Market Intelligence Made Easier With Mintel
The first Mintel Market Intelligence report was published over 50 years ago. Since then, we have provided our unique insights and understanding of consumers, innovation and global markets to thousands of customers worldwide. Here’s why our customers rely on Mintel:
- Gain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the market: Mintel reports blend consumer research, market forecasts, product innovation tracking, and competitive analysis, allowing businesses to see every angle of their industry and identify new opportunities quickly.
- Make decisions with confidence, grounded in robust data: Each report draws on up-to-date, reliable information from trusted sources and industry experts, ensuring your strategies are based on solid evidence rather than speculation.
- Benefit from expert analysis and practical recommendations: Mintel’s reports are written by experienced analysts who interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insights you can trust to guide your next moves.
- Stay ahead with actionable intelligence on market trends and consumer behaviour: By combining fresh research with long-term market monitoring, our reports help businesses anticipate changes and adapt strategically. So you’re prepared to make informed decisions and drive growth.
What goes into a Mintel Market Intelligence Report?
Curious about how a Market Intelligence report comes together? We like to think of it as building a detailed puzzle. We start with individual pieces: data from consumers, market statistics, industry trends, and online conversations. Then our expert analysts add world-class human insight and industry knowledge. The pieces are assembled to reveal a clear, comprehensive picture of a market.
The Four Pillars of Our Research
We use a combination of four main research methods when creating our reports, each adding a valuable perspective:
- Consumer Research: Direct surveys with real people, giving us clear, current insights into what people think and do.
- Desk Research: In-depth review of trusted data sources. We use this rich database, plus powerful internal tools that track new products and market sizes, to detect trends and guide forecasts.
- Trade Research: Insights from conversations with industry experts. Their real-world experience helps us understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Brand and Social Media Research: Analysis of online opinions and trends. This lets us spot trends, measure brand sentiment, and capture feedback in real time, adding further depth to our research.
Bringing It All Together
Each of these four pillars provides a different piece of the puzzle. Consumer research tells us what customers think, desk research provides the factual framework, trade research offers an insider’s view, and social media analysis reveals public sentiment.
Our expert analysts are skilled in weaving these diverse data streams together. They apply a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to uncover the deeper story, connecting the dots to deliver clear, actionable insights. This comprehensive, multi-layered process is how we transform raw data into a market intelligence report you can trust to inform your most important business decisions.
For a closer look at a Mintel Market Intelligence Report, take a look at the sample PDF report below:
-
Download today with instant access
Pay via credit card or invoice (net 30 payment terms)
-
Multiple formats provided
We send a PDF, Powerpoint and Excel Databook straight to your inbox. An interactive version of the report is also available on our online platform
-
Interactive databook included
Focus on the data that matters most to you with a customisable databook avaliable on our platform
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.
Learn moreTrusted by global industry leaders
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.
Learn more

