UK-based brewery Brew Dog has joined the throng of retailers from a growing number of sectors to offer buy now, pay later (BNPL) – teaming up with Clearpay to kick off the beer company’s annual ‘beer advent calendar’.
The company will be allowing shoppers to pay the £49.95 in four interest free in instalments. The venture, which is known as Afterpay outside the UK and Europe, made the announcement as it launched a Pay Better campaign which aimed to “shine a light on the ways consumers can reclaim control of their financial lives and not just pay later, but pay better”.
The news comes as rising concerns about how BNPL schemes such as Klarna, Clearpay and Laybuy could be tempting young shoppers into taking on unsustainable levels of debt, were recently evidenced in the Shop Now, Stress Later Report from the personal finance experts at money.co.uk.
James Andrews, senior personal finance editor at money.co.uk, offers up insight into why this collaboration – and any similar brands that follow suit with BNPL providers – could send at-risk consumers into spiralling debt come the new year: “The dangers of BrewDog and Clearpay tempting consumers with this ’beer now, pay later’ offer could lead to the definition of a financial hangover come the new year. January and February are already months synonymous with a lack of disposable income following the notoriously expensive festive period, so adding to your debts through BNPL purchases is only likely to add to the existing financial strain.”
He adds: “Quite frankly, mixing alcoholic purchases with the ability to pay outstanding amounts for the goods at a later date feels far from responsible on the part of BrewDog and Clearpay, regardless of how it may be promoted as a novelty gift for others. More broadly speaking, Buy Now Pay Later schemes like Clearpay offer consumers a quick payment option, and are a potential entry point into a world of damaging debt.”
He concludes: “As with any forms of debt, it’s important to fully understand the risks associated before committing yourself to any kind of contract or agreement. A failure to do so could easily spiral into a cycle of debt you cannot get out of.”
