1 in 7 Americans report using Buy Now, Pay Later service like Klarna, Affirm, and Afterpay to get groceries

More Americans are using buy-now, pay-later (BNPL) services for essentials like groceries, underscoring rising economic anxiety. A LendingTree survey found 25% of shoppers have used BNPL for groceries — up from 14% a year ago — and 41% have made at least one late payment in the past year, often repaid within a week.

Once a tool for luxury purchases, BNPL is now a stopgap for everyday expenses as inflation, tariffs, and interest rate uncertainty weigh on consumer confidence. Sentiment has dropped sharply, with about half of Americans fearing a near-term recession.

Analysts warn that while BNPL offers a way to stretch budgets without credit card interest, its ease can encourage overspending, debt stacking, and hidden late fees. The service has expanded beyond big-ticket items to food delivery partnerships and even music festival tickets, reflecting a growing comfort with frictionless borrowing — particularly among younger and higher-income consumers.

With the economic outlook uncertain, experts expect BNPL use to remain elevated.