Zip Teams With Blackhawk Network To Drive BNPL

Buy now pay later (BNPL) platform Zip (formerly known as Quadpay) is teaming up with branded payments firm Blackhawk Network to enable gift card purchases in a variety of ways, according to a press release on Monday (Oct. 25).

The partnership brings the Blackhawk network to over five million Zip users, enabling them to buy gift cards within Zip’s platform. Zip’s installment option will be available as a payment option at GiftCards.com, GiftCardMall.com and through Blackhawk’s own platform.

Blackhawk works with more than 500 leading merchants, giving consumers more BNPL gift card options across more marketplaces. This collaboration between Blackhawk and Zip is intended to give more people access to flexible payments in a gift card format.

See also: 14% of Online Consumers Have Used BNPL

“Our partnership with Zip is a major win for consumers looking for increased flexibility in their shopping and payments experience,” said Brett Narlinger, head of global commerce at Blackhawk Network. “With the buy now, pay later space expected to quadruple in coming years, these new innovations will be critical to continue providing innovative purchasing options for consumers and retailers.”

Zip and Blackhawk are also working together to bring more retailers on board with BNPL at the point of sale (POS), collaborating to offer Zip payments using a QR code in-store. Blackhawk’s payment solution, SpendIt, will also support Zip’s BNPL offerings, as will several mobile and cryptocurrency wallets.

Read more: Report: Offering BNPL Is Key to Unlocking Retail Spend for One-Quarter of US Consumers

“Bringing gift cards and branded payment solutions to the Zip platform and providing consumers with new ways to purchase is a major boost for our shoppers,” said Adam Ezra, co-CEO at Zip US. “Blackhawk is an industry leader in processing transactions, and its flexible, scalable APIs bring this new commerce and shopping opportunity for Zip to enter the gift card space in a major way.

“Our ability to seamlessly integrate technology, processing and consumer awareness in this new retail environment is has been a priority for our team.”