Impact of Buy Now, Pay Later Services On Consumer Behavior in Dharwad District

Introduction: Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have changed the way people shop, especially in places like India. These services help grow the e-commerce industry and let people, especially young people, buy things right away without having to pay the whole amount at once. This makes shopping easier and gives people more money to spend. Literature review: According to Barr (2004), research shows that young and low-income people often have lower credit scores than older and higher-income people. Statement of the problem: The issue with studying BNPL in Dharwad is understanding how this easy, installment-based payment method affects local buying habits. It could lead to more impulsive purchases and debt, especially for younger people who may not fully understand the financial risks involved. Objectives of study: The study aims to understand different user groups in Dharwad, such as young people, professionals, and those in urban or rural areas, and their unique shopping behaviors. It also wants to explore how BNPL is used in physical stores versus online, especially in Dharwad’s local market. Research methodology: This study examines how Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) influences people in Dharwad. A quantitative method with a descriptive and explanatory design is used. Data is collected by asking BNPL users questions through structured Likert-scale questionnaires, which can be given online or in person. These questionnaires will cover topics like users' habits, their awareness of BNPL, their satisfaction, and how it affects their finances. Once the data is collected, SPSS will be used to analyze it with techniques like descriptive statistics to find out what factors lead to impulse buying and financial risks. Data analysis: Data analysis on how BNPL affects people in Dharwad might show that it makes people buy things on a whim, spend more money, and get better access to financial services. But it also has downsides like overspending, getting into debt, and facing financial problems, especially for younger people. Finding: BNPL makes it easier for people to spend more and buy things on a sudden urge, especially in areas like electronics, fashion, and small purchases. Recommendation: BNPL services let people spend more, buy things on a whim, and feel like they can handle bigger purchases, especially among young people in areas like Dharwad. But these services also have downsides, like getting into debt, because many people don't know much about managing money. Conclusion: BNPL is present in Dharwad in a way that is similar to what is happening nationally, which brings growth but also needs careful handling. It gives consumers more choices but can also put them at risk of financial trouble.