DoorDash is partnering with Klarna to introduce a “buy now, pay later” model, where customers will pay for their food orders later or in installments instead of paying right away.
Through its partnership with Klarna, DoorDash plans to offer customers three payment options when ordering: pay the full amount immediately, spread the payment across four interest-free installments, or defer payment to a specific date, such as their payday. This gives customers the flexibility to pay in the way they want.
Klarna is already used by Grubhub and Apple Pay, and this collaboration marks the company’s expansion into the grocery and restaurant payment sectors. David Sykes, Klarna’s chief business officer, called the collaboration “a significant expansion into the everyday consumer space.”
While these payment methods may be convenient for customers, there are also concerns about the economic aspect. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the percentage of Americans who are reluctant to apply for credit cards, home mortgages, and auto loans has increased to 8.5%, the highest level since 2013. BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) services are gaining popularity as a payment method that is easier than credit cards, but there are also risks such as high fees and credit rating downgrades in case of late payment.
DoorDash will be able to offer customers more payment options through this collaboration, while Klarna is preparing for an IPO as it continues to expand its services. Klarna currently works with over 675,000 merchants in 26 countries.
