BNPL market seen contributing 6.7 % to 2024 digital economy

CEBU, Philippines — UnaCash, a provider of in-app and in-store financing solutions, anticipates that the Philippines’ buy now, pay later (BNPL) market will contribute 6.7 percent of gross merchandise value (GMV) to the digital economy in 2024.

The forecast was made after a comparison of the volume of the country’s BNPL market from 2020 to 2023 to the growth rate of the Philippine digital economy during the same period.

Gross merchandise value represents the total sales volume, or the value of goods or services sold over a certain period, through a customer-to-customer (C2C) exchange site.

According to the company’s report, BNPL’s forecasted GMV contribution this year is higher compared to what was seen in 2023 (4.88 percent) and 2022 (4.19 percent).

UnaCash observes that BNPL’s positive impact in the digital economy is primarily seen through these three channels: MSMEs-- BNPL has become a preferred payment model for both online and offline retailers, enhancing their competitiveness and contributing to the overall digital economic landscape, especially in a country dominated by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Embedded Finance and Digital Payments-- BNPL fosters trust in digital payment methods, where Filipinos perceive this as a “time-tested” financing service and budget management tool.

This leads to the further growth of digital payments, which eventually fuels the digital economy.

In E-commerce, BNPL acts as a crucial tool for e-commerce businesses, increasing average order values and propelling the sector’s growth. The growing landscape for e-commerce is significantly intertwined with the growth of BNPL. Spending in the e-commerce segment is projected to increase nine times by 2026 from 2021.

“Our latest findings suggest that the Philippines’ BNPL market is experiencing moderate yet stable progress — affirming its growing role in spurring economic growth. We are witnessing a notable shift in consumer behavior where there is a consistent rise in patronage for this mode of financing,” UnaCash product head Erwin G. Ocampo said.

“Amid economic pressures, we also believe that the increasing adoption of BNPL services is reflective of Filipinos’ view of it as a convenient way of managing their spending habits,” Ocampo added.

Earlier research from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas  (BSP) in April this year revealed that consumer sentiment improved in the 1st quarter of 2024. Consumers are also less hesitant about buying big-ticket items in the first quarter of 2024 and the next 12 months.

“While consumers are still wary of rising commodity prices in 2024 and less optimistic about their finances this year, financing options like BNPL remain great tools for making big-ticket purchases,” Ocampo added.

According to Ocampo, UnaCash remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and fostering financial inclusion in the Philippines. The platform believes that BNPL, when used responsibly, can be a powerful tool for Filipinos to navigate the changes in the digital economy.