Buy Now, Pay Later och konsumtionsbeteende : En kvantitativ studie av samband mellan BNPL-användning och konsumtionsbeteende i olika inkomstgrupper.

Sammanfattning

Over the past decade, digital commerce has grown substantially, contributing to the emergence of new payment solutions such as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). Sweden has become one of the most prominent markets for these services, while their impact on consumers' financial behavior has attracted increasing attention. In particular, concerns have been raised regarding whether deferred payment solutions may encourage impulsive consumption and whether certain socioeconomic groups are more vulnerable than others. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the use of BNPL services and consumer behavior, as well as whether this relationship varies across individuals with different income levels. The study is based on a quantitative survey comprising 182 respondents, of whom 142 individuals with experience using BNPL were included in the regression analysis. The analysis was conducted using an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model, supported by behavioral economic theories such as present bias, mental accounting, and bounded rationality. The results show a statistically significant positive relationship between higher BNPL usage and a higher consumption index, indicating more impulsive consumption behavior. However, no statistically significant evidence was found to suggest that this relationship varies across income groups. Age was the only control variable found to have a significant relationship with consumer behavior, with older age being associated with less impulsive consumption. This study contributes to the understanding of how modern payment solutions are associated with consumer behavior and suggests that behavioral mechanisms may be more influential than income levels in this context. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution, as the study is based on cross-sectional data and a convenience sample, which limits the ability to draw causal conclusions and generalize the results. Keywords: Behavioral Economics, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), Consumer Behavior, Impulsivity, Income groups, Mental Accounting, Present bias, Self-Control