Buy now, pay later (BNPL) FinTech Sezzle has partnered with global product brokerage firm Market America Worldwide to advance payment options on its Shop.com platform.
“This partnership opens the door for millions of shoppers to access Sezzle’s barrier-breaking, next generation of payments,” Sezzle CEO and Co-Founder Charlie Youakim said in a Wednesday (April 28) press release. “With a shared dedication to shoppers and an innovative approach to eCommerce, our teams have already created a strong relationship that will serve our shoppers well.”
An international product brokerage, Market America, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, acquired the comparison shopping site Shop.com about 10 years ago. The partnership with Sezzle will give Market America’s independent distributors — called UnFranchise owners — a flexible payment option.
Marc Ashley, President and COO of Market America Worldwide, said that the company is constantly thinking of the best ways to boost customers’ eCommerce journey. By teaming up with Sezzle, Market America can offer its online shoppers “yet another convenient method” to buy what they need.
“Even more, our UnFranchise Owners, who work hard to grow their own successful online businesses, will also be able to use the buy now, pay later option. When our UnFranchise Owners succeed, we succeed,” Ashley said.
He added that Sezzle “approves 9 out of 10 consumers” and is also “routinely voted the best shopping experience and most trusted by consumers,” which made the decision to team up a “no-brainer.”
Sezzle’s BNPL option offers shoppers the ability to pay interest-free in four installments across six weeks. The solution benefits those customers who prefer to pay over time without fees or interest. The payment tool also helps thin-file credit builders boost credit scores and buying power.
The Minneapolis, Minnesota-headquartered startup was founded in 2016 also helps people by extending financial education and reporting their on-time payment histories to credit bureaus.
In a PYMNTS interview with Karen Webster last month, Youakim said the company embraces its role as a lender, differentiating it from other firms. Sezzle posted 2020 earnings with underlying merchant sales (UMS) up 250.8 percent and total income up 272.1 percent year over year. This year is also tracking for positive earning results, with UMS up 65 percent over its 2020 average.
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