Today in the Connected Economy: Walmart Launches Metaverse Grocery Experiences

Today in the connected economy, Walmart hopes to meet younger consumers in the metaverse through two new Roblox experiences. Plus, buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider Klarna teams up with CellPay to help people pay for prepaid phone minutes in installments, while Todd Crosland of CoinZoom talks to PYMNTS about his company’s non-fungible token (NFT) partnership with the Utah Jazz.

Grocers Dip Toes Into Metaverse as Restaurants Dive In

As restaurants and grocers vie for consumers’ food spending, restaurants have been quicker at meeting younger consumers in the metaverse. However, Walmart, the world’s largest grocery provider, is now getting onboard. The retailer announced this week it is launching two Roblox experiences, Walmart Land and Universe of Play, with “immersive games” and virtual collectibles.

Klarna, CellPay Team to Offer BNPL on Prepaid Cellphone Minutes

FinTech solution provider CellPay has joined forces with Klarna to offer Klarna’s interest-free “Pay in 4” option to consumers purchasing prepaid cellphone minutes from CellPay. Using this payment option, CellPay customers can make four interest-free payments over the course of six weeks.

QR Codes’ Growing Popularity Extends to Crypto Payments

Fans of the Utah Jazz who want to buy NFTs of their favorite players need look no further than their stadium seats. As part of the NBA franchise’s move to embrace cryptocurrency and NFTs, every seat was imprinted with a QR code that takes fans to the NFT marketplace of the crypto exchange CoinZoom, where they can buy the media-bearing tokens directly and for cash.