Black Friday sales were up and so was Buy Now Pay Later

Market Trends & Observations - Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) usage surged during the Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday period, increasing by 6 percentage points compared to the previous year [3] - Cyber Monday saw over $1 billion in e-commerce spending through BNPL services in the US, marking the first time it surpassed $1 billion in a single day [3] - The adoption of BNPL as a new financial instrument is considered notable, driven by its increasing availability at checkout with various retailers [4] Potential Risks & Concerns - The prevalence of BNPL raises concerns about consumers spending beyond their means, especially when considering Black Friday sales [1] - Rising default rates on credit cards, coupled with increased BNPL usage, may indicate a potential problem [2] - The fintech and retail industries might be collectively encouraging consumers to spend money they don't have [2] Retailer Perspective - Retailers find offering BNPL services beneficial, as it allows customers to avoid paying the full price upfront, potentially leading to increased sales [5] - BNPL services are particularly advantageous for retailers offering higher-priced goods [5]