Hungry and cashless? Empty fridge woes? DoorDash has your back. The online food ordering and delivery service provider has partnered with the AI-powered payment platform Klarna to allow its cash-strapped customers to take out micro-loans to pay for food or grocery delivery.
You Can Now Pay for DoorDash Food or Grocery Delivery on an Installment Basis
Buy Now, Pay Later
The aforesaid deal makes sense in the American market. Several polls have shown that a sizable portion of the American population is struggling and living paycheck-to-paycheck. Others have raised concerns over the growing popularity of micro-lending services and channels.
DoorDash is not the first to implement an internal credit-based payment scheme. Other similar service providers like Instacart and the United Kingdom-based Deliveroo have existing partnerships with Klarna to integrate a buy now, pay later or BNPL service in their platforms.
It is also worth mentioning that several online retailers also have installment payment schemes built into their order fulfillment systems. This reflects a broader trend of expanding access to credit to more consumers and integrating BNPL services into electronic commerce platforms.
Emerging Concerns
However, for others, the growing popularity of BNPL and other similar micro-lending services can be a problem. Accounting services firm JBS Corporation explained that the accessibility of credit for recurring expenses like food can lead to sizeable debt accumulation in the long run.
The option to defer payments may also tempt consumers to spend beyond their means. This habit can lead to the accumulation of unnecessary debt. Note that a January 2025 survey showed that about 26 percent of American households reported taking on more debt in the past three months.
Several commentaries on social media noted that the partnership between DoorDash and Klarna might indicate a negative economic direction. The need for such payment options for small purchases and basic necessities like food deliveries reflects broader economic challenges.
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