The modern retail landscape has shifted dramatically with the introduction of “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services at almost every checkout. This ubiquitous shopping trend allows consumers to split their purchases into four interest-free installments with just a single click. While it is marketed as a convenient alternative to traditional credit, it often encourages shoppers to buy items they cannot truly afford. By removing the immediate “pain of paying,” retailers are seeing much higher conversion rates and larger basket sizes. Unfortunately, this convenience often masks the underlying reality of high-interest penalties for those who miss a single scheduled payment.
