For retail businesses, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) financing has created a surge of opportunity, allowing them to engage new consumers with increased payment flexibility and purchasing power. But retail isn’t the only sector benefiting from BNPL. As more consumers and businesses adopt this solution, the opportunity for non-retail merchants is also on the rise.

According to a recent Insider Intelligence report, more than 45 million people in the U.S. will use BNPL services in 2021, an increase of more than 80% over last year. The top items bought through BNPL services include electronics, clothing, furniture and appliances. While most of these categories fall squarely in the retail sector, it’s not hard to imagine a similar adoption curve for industries beyond retail.

Industries such as automotive parts and services, pet care, home improvement and even healthcare increasingly offer BNPL to their consumers and patients. A BNPL solution like Certegy’s can provide benefits for both merchants and their consumers.

Enabling merchants post-pandemic

Just as in the retail sector, non-retail merchants have experienced various challenges and opportunities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Offering a BNPL payment solution is one way businesses can continue to grow despite the turbulence in the market.

For example, the “pandemic puppy” trend drove pet ownership in 2020 to a record 70% of households. With the average first-year expenses ranging from ~$1,900 for cats to ~$3,220 for dogs, it’s little wonder that pet care businesses turned to BNPL solutions to help clients shoulder those costs. Many pet owners have historically been forced to forgo critical treatment for their animals due to the cost and unexpected nature of these expenses. Veterinarians who offer BNPL empower their clients to prioritize the health of their pets through a flexible deferred payment option.

Similarly, home improvement saw a huge uptick this past year, with housebound consumers looking to spruce up their living (and sometimes working) environments. A Harvard study found that home improvement spending rose 3% during 2020, despite the economy shrinking by 3.5%. With the average home remodel costing between $18,108 to $76,450, offering a BNPL option can reduce sticker shock and help consumers achieve their dream home goals.

Improving health care with BNPL solutions

As BNPL services ease the burden of funding large purchases, it’s no surprise that consumers are turning to BNPL options for their own health care.

For patients seeking much-needed medical, dental, or elective procedures such as LASIK, Botox, cosmetic surgery, orthodontics, or hair replacement treatments, the cost can be a deterrent. A recent Gallup poll found that 18% of Americans have delayed medical treatment over the past year because they couldn’t afford it. A report from Financial Technology Partners notes that only 23% of Americans can afford a medical bill of more than $2,000. Offering patients a BNPL option can help smooth out the cost of treatment, giving them more options when it comes to their health care needs.

Alternatives to traditional BNPL programs

Certegy’s Buy Now, Pay Later solution helps all merchants reach new consumers, increase sales and build loyalty through a user-friendly financial solution available as a natural extension of their existing checkout process. Unlike other BNPL options, our installment plan solution leverages the power of the ACH network and the convenience of open banking to reduce merchant fees and ensure a seamless consumer experience.

And with Certegy’s white label option, no third parties are involved — merchants retain the direct consumer relationship and don’t risk losing them to an external shopping directory. Merchants receive the funding up front, and we handle the rest.

To learn more about our Buy Now, Pay Later solution, visit certegy.com/bnpl or contact us at 1-877-CERTEGY.