New Klarna browser extension opens up desktop BNPL for shoppers at all e-stores

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Dec 9, 2021

Klarna has launched what could be a game-changer for buy now, pay later (BNPL) on desktop with a browser extension “that brings interest-free shopping at all online stores to the desktop, regardless of whether they are partnered with Klarna or not”.

The browser extension has been in beta testing with over 100,000 consumers. It’s available in the US, UK, Germany, and France and will be rolled out to the rest of Klarna's markets in the near future. 

The firm said that despite the significant growth of mobile shopping, desktop shopping still accounts for 32% of all e-commerce traffic, while 44% of online orders are placed on the desktop. 

The new browser extension “caters to this demand by providing consumers with the same end-to-end shopping experience on their desktop that they already enjoy in the Klarna app, so they can pay later anywhere online, on any device". It also enables coupons and cashback offers to be automatically added to purchases, saving consumers time and money. 

It’s come about due to its recent acquisition of Piggy, “one of the fastest growing browser extensions”, which will power this new offering.

The features of the new offer include the creation of one time virtual Visa cards that enable consumers “to shop seamlessly and securely with Klarna at all of their favourite online retailers”. 

Consumers can also save any items they find on the browser to personal folders and activate price drop notifications on those items.  

And there’s automatic couponing, plus exclusive rewards for purchases at merchants in the form of cashback (US and Germany) or gift cards (UK and France).

Whenever a consumer makes a purchase or saves an item with the browser extension, it’s automatically reflected in their Klarna app. They can then access further post-purchase features, such as tracking their deliveries from order placement to delivery, managing their purchases and returns and tracking their carbon footprint. 

It’s all compatible with Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge with support for Firefox and Safari to be rolled out in the near future.

Nicholas Mahalec, Product Director at Klarna and former CEO of Piggy said: “Online retailers are constantly looking for ways to reduce cart abandonment and improve the checkout experience — especially during the crucial holiday shopping season. By automatically adding coupons to shopping carts and enabling consumers to pay later with Klarna's one-time cards, the new browser extension not only saves consumers valuable time and money, but also boosts engagement and retention for retailers. With this partnership we open the door for tens of thousands of retailers to tap into Klarna's growing base of 90+ million high-intent shoppers.”