(PRESS RELEASE) PHOENIX, AZ — PetSmart, the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets, announced its partnership with Afterpay, the leader in “Buy Now, Pay Later” payments, to give customers the opportunity to have flexible payment options when shopping both in-store and online.
PetSmart customers using Afterpay can make purchases and pay for them in four interest-free installments, due every two weeks. Customers receive their products upfront just like any other purchase method, but have the freedom to pay over time. Afterpay is available for all PetSmart products, as well as Pet Services like grooming, training, day camps and more.
As the largest omnichannel specialty pet retailer, PetSmart is the first company of its kind to offer Afterpay’s Buy Now, Pay Later service. Having recently added offerings like curbside pickup and same-day delivery, the addition of Afterpay is part of PetSmart’s strategy to give customers more freedom and flexibility when shopping for their pets and ease stress that comes with becoming a new pet owner.
Afterpay has a powerful demographic of young and engaged shoppers, many of whom are now becoming pet parents. In fact, Millennials currently represent the biggest share of pet owners in the U.S., and pet-related searches on Afterpay’s platform increased by nearly 270 percent in 2021 when compared to the same period last year. Together, Afterpay and PetSmart are servicing a new generation of pet owners who prefer to budget their purchases and ease their upfront spending.
“Afterpay empowers our customers with the financial freedom and flexibility to make purchases at PetSmart quickly and easily – and on their terms,” said Will Smith, senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “We’re excited to provide this innovative program to our customers, whether they’re shopping in store or online.”
“By joining forces with PetSmart, we are meeting the growing demand of pet ownership by younger generations during what continues to be uncertain times,” said Zahir Khoja, general manager of Afterpay North America. “Starting today, PetSmart customers can budget the costs that come with caring for a pet while avoiding revolving debt and expensive, interest-bearing credit products.”
Afterpay is the leading payment solution offered by nearly 100,000 of the world’s favorite retailers with nearly 20 million customers in North America alone. After signing up, customers can use the Afterpay app to shop, manage payments, and view reminders. There are no fees if customers pay on time.