Klarna Debuts Browser Extension for Online Stores

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform Klarna on Thursday (Dec. 9) debuted a browser extension that will allow customers to use the company’s flexible payment options on their desktop computers at all online stores, even those that aren’t Klarna partners.

The browser extension had been in beta testing with more than 100,000 shoppers before its official launch. Desktop shopping comprises almost one-third of all eCommerce traffic and 44% of online orders come through a desktop, Klarna said.

“While mobile shopping is surging, we also see that many consumers still enjoy the comfort of browsing and comparing items on a larger desktop screen,” said David Fock, chief product officer at Klarna, in the company announcement. “We want to offer consumers the world’s best shopping and payments experience — no matter what device they are using.

“With the introduction of our browser extension, consumers shopping on their desktop can now benefit from the convenience, control and flexibility of Klarna’s ‘Pay Later’ services at all of their favorite online stores,” he added.

The new feature automatically adds coupons and cashback offers on purchases using Klarna’s BNPL option. Klarna’s recent acquisition of Piggy will fuel the browser extension’s implementation and growth.

“Online retailers are constantly looking for ways to reduce cart abandonment and improve the checkout experience — especially during the crucial holiday shopping season,” said Nicholas Mahalec, product director at Klarna and former CEO of Piggy, in the company announcement. “The new browser extension not only saves consumers valuable time and money, but also boosts engagement and retention for retailers — regardless of whether they are Klarna partners already.”

Related news: Marqeta, Klarna Continue Payments Tech Partnership in 13 New Countries

Klarna recently expanded its partnership with modern card issuing platform Marqeta into the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Norway, Finland and Denmark.

Klarna began using Marqeta’s card issuing platform in the U.S. in 2018 to power the virtual card on the Klarna mobile shopping app, then Marqeta backed Klarna’s launch in Australia in 2020 and its recent expansion to New Zealand. Klarna, which is also in Portugal, is in 19 markets across three continents.