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The Hustle Daily Show

Pay off your lunch: Klarna meets DoorDash

Mar 26, 2025
Klarna has teamed up with DoorDash, allowing customers to buy food on credit like never before. This partnership sparks a discussion on the implications for everyday spending and the future of consumer debt. The hosts also discuss the acquisition of Napster, tech innovations like Waymo's robo-taxis, and Apple's renewable energy efforts. They dive into the pros and cons of buy now, pay later services, especially regarding impulsive food delivery purchases, raising concerns about increased micro debt and the risks of overspending.
16:06

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Klarna and DoorDash partnership represents a significant shift in consumer financing, making Buy Now, Pay Later services accessible for everyday purchases like food.
  • This trend highlights concerns about rising consumer debt, particularly amidst economic uncertainty, as more individuals rely on credit alternatives for daily expenses.

Deep dives

The Rise of Buy Now, Pay Later Services

The partnership between Klarna and DoorDash highlights the increasing prevalence of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services, which allow consumers to pay for purchases in installments. This trend has seen a significant surge, with total loan values for BNPL growing from $2 billion to over $34 billion in just a few years. Critics express concern that these services can lead to consumer debt, as users may struggle to pay off installments on smaller purchases, like food deliveries, leading to financial instability. However, Klarna’s model avoids high-interest rates typically associated with payday loans, positioning it as a less risky alternative for larger purchases.

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