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New research reveals the best cities in the UK for independent retailers.

4 Mar 2024

Research by global fintech company SumUp has revealed the best cities in the UK for independent businesses.
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Rising costs continue to impact hair and beauty sector

21 Feb 2024

The latest quarterly State of the Industry survey from the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) shows that the recovery of the sector was slow and steady through 2023 and into January... Read more…

UK votes for its favourite pun-based shop name

21 Feb 2024

The UK has voted for its favourite pun-based shop name, and 'Sew It Seams' - a clothing alteration store in Belfast - has been awarded the top spot. 
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Town centre shops praise council for initiatives

21 Feb 2024

Businesses in the Devon town of Ottery St Mary have praised their local council for initiatives designed to help support them and boost trade.
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Three UK indie coffee shops named among the most popular in the world.

19 Feb 2024

A new ranking of the most popular independent coffee shops in the world has put three UK cafes in the top 10.
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Age-friendly businesses could revitalise Britain's high streets.

19 Feb 2024

Older people could be the financial shot in the arm needed for Britain’s high street, according to research commissioned by the University of Stirling. 
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Rural shops more important than ever, new report shows.

8 Feb 2024

The ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has celebrated the crucial role that rural shops play in thousands of communities across the UK in its 2024 Rural Shop Report.
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Study reveals Apple Pay and contactless payments have overtaken cash payments as favourite ways to pay in-store.

8 Feb 2024

New research reveals that Apple Pay and contactless payments have overtaken cash payments by a landslide as our favourite ways to pay in-store.
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Fed expresses alarm at ‘runaway’ shoplifting incidents.

5 Feb 2024

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has expressed alarm at new figures that show shoplifting at its highest level in 20 years.
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Hunstanton deli launches new West Norfolk food and drink festival.

5 Feb 2024

A brand-new festival is being launched next month is “all about community and breathing life into the High Street”, according to Mark Kacary, managing director of The Norfolk Deli in... Read more…

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Nearly half of Buy Now Pay Later customers continue to be misled

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

A recent story published in This is Money, Financial Website of the Year included survey findings showing that over 40 per cent of shoppers are unaware that missing payments when using a Buy Now Pay Later service could harm their credit score.

According to Compare the Market, one in five also felt they weren't clearly shown the terms and conditions, again raising more concerns over the increasingly popular payment method.

One company in particular, a popular Swedish finance provider that was previously mentioned by the ACT for misleading a customer and negatively affecting their credit score, has been the cause of concern for many. The firm is incredibly popular in Britain with 6million people using its three ways of paying for items since 2015. It has also begun providing in-store payment options, with 10,000 shops including H&M, Halfords and Schuh.

While the company claims to believe 'in being simple and straightforward in everything we do', This is Money found it difficult to find on its website the fact that your credit score is affected by non-payment on some of its products, something likely reflected in the survey results.

A clear example of this obscurity is under an FAQ section on the website of one of the biggest retailers it provides payment options for - H&M - it responds to the specific question of whether using the Buy Now Pay Later firm affects your credit score with: 'For more information about Klarna's credit check and if it affects your score please contact Klarna directly.'


The company told This is Money in January 2019: 'We're open about our lending policies and credit authorisation processes, and we make sure we stay in regular contact with customers to let them know when a payment is due.

'If after a period of several months we have not received payment, we advise the credit bureau that they have not paid.

'At this point a customer's credit score may be affected.'

The company also said in response to Compare the Market's research: 'Klarna does not report missed payments to credit reference reference agencies in relation to its pay later and pay in three products.

'To date, a customer's credit score has not been impacted by using Klarna's pay later products even if they have failed to pay on time'. It said its financing payment plans were Klarna's only regulated credit product.

Another recent article explains the dangers of the Buy Now Pay Later firm also being heavily promoted by celebrities through Instagram with thousands of young followers. Debt campaigners have branded the celebs "irresponsible".

Martyn James from Resolver said: "It's totally irresponsible for influencers to take cash to plug credit products on their profiles.

"There's a huge difference between plugging an expensive pair of shoes and borrowing beyond your means to pay for them.

"With little to no warnings about the risks, shoppers could find themselves sleepwalking in to debt."

New research also warns that over two million shoppers have damaged their credit scores using Buy Now Pay Later schemes.

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