More Americans are buying groceries using buy now, pay later: Survey

The Hill
by Andrew Dorn
April 17, 2026
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

More Americans are using buy now, pay later services for groceries, indicating financial strain.

How This Affects You

If you are among the nearly one-third of BNPL users buying groceries with these loans, it reflects a growing reliance on credit for essential household expenses.

AI Summary

A recent survey indicates that more Americans are using buy now, pay later (BNPL) services for grocery purchases. Nearly one-third of all BNPL users have utilized these short-term loans for groceries, a significant increase from two years ago. This trend suggests a growing reliance on credit for essential household expenses, reflecting potential financial strain for many consumers. The increased use of BNPL for necessities like food highlights evolving consumer spending habits and financial management strategies.

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

US home sales fall in March, marking a slow start to the spring homebuying season - AP News
Finance

US home sales fall in March, marking a slow start to the spring homebuying season - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxQVG9YU0g0X1dWYThwZnVqTTRIMmxXN0dDTFdOcUVPcTN1UkdxLXoxTk11d3pCZ24xSmNLaEdCNFFsVmtOOXFrNjNxWVJkSms2V0tSTDBRa2FtekF0eVZKdElTQnJJMWxCSnY1UTgwa3lWck5NaS0ycDE2Qy11REZ1ejlGQzZqUHp2Y1Z0WE1XU2RaV3d5Rnh5N0RYYUpKa2hFQWVCeA?oc=5" target="_blank">US home sales fall in March, marking a slow start to the spring homebuying season</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 13
Trump promised tax relief, but polling shows most Americans still think they’re overpaying - AP News
Politics

Trump promised tax relief, but polling shows most Americans still think they’re overpaying - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxQckRuckpBNkJlWjNSeEs0U1hUMThCdjZSYnhyOS1VdS1pV3pMOEM4ay02Vm5PZ3VRMmUzZVBqWnBhNmtCc2xTTHpOd05UWFFlQ0NRN0NBODJJRFFURnVXNXRZZDkxY3dOcDlrQzl0cFFZVEZUMGdWVkJpWUNBRDNxVTFPa1l2UXNWczRlS2FsTV9Rby1MZjJ3U2QyOE5nQzU3WVVVYXU2Uzd0V3M?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump promised tax relief, but polling shows most Americans still think they’re overpaying</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 14
Americans grow a bit friendlier toward China
Global

Americans grow a bit friendlier toward China

<div>Data: <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/04/14/americans-views-of-china-have-grown-somewhat-more-positive-in-recent-years/?utm_source=AdaptiveMailer&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=GLOBAL+US+views+of+China+HEADS+UP&amp;org=982&amp;lvl=100&amp;ite=17613&amp;lea=4997657&amp;ctr=0&amp;par=1&amp;trk=a0DQm00000Bxp3OMAR" target="_blank">Pew</a>; Chart: Axios Visuals</div><p>The percentage of Americans holding favorable views of <a href="https://www.axios.com/world/china" target="_blank">China</a> rose for the third straight year, according to an annual Pew survey, and has nearly doubled since 2023.</p><ul><li>Meanwhile, the share of Americans who view China as an "enemy" has fallen significantly over that time.</li></ul><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> Distrust of China hardened into a bipartisan consensus beginning in Trump's first term. It's now softening somewhat during Trump 2.0.</p><hr><ul><li>The U.S. and China are the world's two superpowers, locked...

AxiosApr 15
Why so many Americans are using AI for health guidance
Health

Why so many Americans are using AI for health guidance

Turning to artificial intelligence tools for health advice has become a habit for many other Americans, according to a West Health–Gallup Center on Healthcare in America poll published Wednesday.

PBS NewsHourApr 16
More than half of Americans say Trump immigration agenda ‘too aggressive’: Survey
Politics

More than half of Americans say Trump immigration agenda ‘too aggressive’: Survey

A new poll shows that more than half of Americans say they think President Trump’s immigration agenda is “too aggressive.” Politico’s poll released on Saturday found that 51 percent of Americans hold this view, with 26 percent saying they think his immigration agenda is “about right” and 11 percent saying it’s “not aggressive enough.” The…

The HillApr 18
Spain at risk of housing bubble as Madrid attracts wealthy foreigners
Finance

Spain at risk of housing bubble as Madrid attracts wealthy foreigners

In the last few years, Madrid has become a destination of choice for wealthy Latin American investors, as well as for young Americans. The latter are settling in the most historical areas of the Spanish capital, driving up prices in an already competitive housing market. FRANCE 24's Maude Petit-Jové and Sarah Morris report.

AFP / France 24Apr 16
Read Next
Welcome to the Second Gilded Age
Finance

Welcome to the Second Gilded Age

Stanford economist Mordecai Kurz breaks down why we are living through a Second Gilded Age—and how to address it.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources