Walmart has expanded its collaboration with the fintech firm Affirm, now offering a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) option at over 4,500 self-checkout kiosks. This BNPL service, already available on Walmart’s website and app as well as at its vision and auto centers, provides customers with the flexibility to make payments over time.
The partnership between Walmart and Affirm, initiated in 2019, introduced the BNPL option across Walmart Supercenters nationwide and on its website. The trend of integrating BNPL solutions at checkout points has been growing among major brands, with Google Pay also planning to incorporate BNPL through partnerships with Affirm and Zip next year.
Pat Suh, Affirm's Senior Vice President of Revenue, highlighted that a significant portion of American consumers are actively looking for BNPL options at retailers. Recent surveys suggest that a lack of such options might lead to postponed or abandoned purchases.
To use Affirm at Walmart’s self-checkout kiosks, customers should access the Affirm app or their Buy In-Store, Pay Later page on a mobile device. The process involves entering the purchase amount (for items ranging from $144 to $4,000), selecting a payment plan ranging from three to 24 months, and then scanning a provided single-use barcode at the kiosk for approval.
BNPL loans are gaining popularity as they enable consumers to split large expenses into manageable monthly installments, sometimes interest-free. However, it's important to be aware of potential drawbacks, such as the risk of overspending, as indicated in various studies.
