A quarter of U.S. consumers are now financing groceries with buy now, pay later as economic pressures mount, survey says

• Consumers feel squeeze from economic uncertainty And more than just funding important purchases such as markets. An April's survey from the lending tree shows an increase in Americans using Buy Now, paying later services for groceries – 25% this year compared to 14% in 2024.

Many other Americans are exploiting financing options for important purchases, the latest sign of an economic health remembrance. Consumers are increasingly turning to Buy-now-Pay-Later (BNPL) services for markets, according to data released by the Lending Marketplace Lending Tree-and many more consumers pay loans eventually.

A quarter of consumers use BNPL for groceries, out of 14% used service one year ago, according to a Lending Tree Survey of 2,000 American adults held in early April.

Meanwhile, 41% of respondents said they were paying their loan late last year, even though most people pay money a week or less. Men, youth, and higher borrowers are more likely to make final payments.

BNPL's increased popularity coincides with the growing fear of a backwardness as a result of uncertainty around tariffs and interest rates. Consumer's sentiment is Continue to weakenwith the index falling to 52.2 last week from 57 a month before. A Poll of Associated Press-Norc Center for Public Affairs Research found about half of Americans is “excessive” or “very” concerned about the possibility of a backwards taking place over the next few months.

“It's quite clear that while people struggle with inflation and other types of economic uncertainty, people are looking for things like BNPL loans to help them expand their budget,” Matt Schulz said, said the leader of financial consumer finance, said Fate.

BNPL – a service that allows users to pay for a purchase with chunks increases – has become an attractive choice for consumers who are interested in avoiding the risks associated with a credit card or paying interest in a loan. However, the system without frictionless money can also lead to Overspending and loan sittingallowing credit companies to offer service to jump on hidden late fees.

The payment strategy Made by those who enter high -profit Finding luxury products, but its growing popularity can signal a transition to human financial priorities.

“When buying now, pay later started, it's usually about handbags and appliances and things like that,” Schulz said. “But now, people look at it for things like markets and food delivery.”

Growing appetite for BNPL

BNPL services offered by apps such as AfterPay and Klarna have found new footholds to consumers. Doordash last month was announced a collaboration To Klarna to allow customers to delay or separate payments on food orders. Meanwhile, the loan service is still popular for big-ticket purchases. Billboard Found 60% of general entry ticket holders For Music Festival Coachella use a payment plan for the event. Festival goers can pay even $ 49.99 on the front for the $ 599 event price tag.

BNPL's ubiquity may indicate a growing comfort with financial risks, especially for younger ones to spend.

“We have a gambling economy,” said Kyla Scanlon's economic commentator on social media Last month. “We have Memecoin, sports betting. We like to have a good vice in the United States, and we can make it completely without friction. Like, we don't have to put in pants.”

At the same time, consumers generally try to avoid risk in times of economic uncertainty, and increasing BNPL opportunities suggest consumers are interpreting the service without much danger, despite not helping consumers develop credit that will help them in the financial line. In the current economic backdrop, expect these loans to remain popular, Schulz predicted.

“I don't think there is any reason to believe that it will do anything but increase,” he said.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com