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The discount battle surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday is largely behind us in Switzerland. After the Christmas business, “Black Week” is the most important sales driver for Swiss retailers.
As the desire to consume increases, so does the tendency to take risks: payment methods that do not require the entire amount straight away are attractive. This is possible with providers like Cembra or Klarna. The head of Swiss consumer protection explains what dangers the “Buy Now, Pay Later” principle entails – and when it is okay to pay in installments.
SRF News: To what extent do you observe that consumers are using the “Buy Now, Pay Later” principle more frequently?
Sara Stalder: It is of course very tempting if you can pay small amounts in stages. People who don’t have a big budget can still buy things at first glance. But be careful, it’s a big debt trap.
Why is it attractive for retailers to offer services like Klarna or Cembra Pay?
It is of great benefit to the providers. You can have the entire debt collection handled by a payment provider. You no longer have to do anything and no longer have to chase money.
At the end of November, the period of great consumption begins, although this was already greater in Switzerland.
Keystone/ANDREAS BECKER
While new spending records were set in the USA on Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, customers in Switzerland spent less money than last year.
An analysis by the news agency AWP based on data from “Monitoring Consumption Switzerland” shows: Sales from credit, debit and mobile payments fell by around one percent compared to Black Friday 2024. Over the entire “Black Week” from November 24th to 30th it was three percent less.
The increase in sales on Black Friday compared to a “normal” day was only 69 percent in 2025. Last year it was around 74 percent, and in 2020 it was over 120 percent. However, the differences between the regions are significant (see graphic).
What are the reasons why you can use it with a clear conscience?
If you really have to pay a large amount all at once and can’t – for something important like an education or perhaps a trip you want to treat yourself to – then paying in installments is something that really makes sense. But small purchases should be paid for all at once.
What dangers do you see if you use this?
The biggest danger is that you suddenly have a contract with a payment provider and no longer with the retailer from whom you bought something. This becomes very confusing because there are different payment providers. In addition, you have to pay installments, and additional fees may be added to these. If you have several such installment payments open, you will ultimately no longer have an overview of who you have to pay what to and who the bill will come from.
Under no circumstances should you pay in advance.
What should consumers generally pay attention to when it comes to such payment providers?
You would have to write down very consistently which payment provider you have concluded a contract with – sometimes this is very unclear – and how big the installments are. Suddenly bills arrive from a sender you don’t know. If you don’t pay them, it gets really expensive. Because then interest or fees follow.
That is, what advice do you generally give when shopping online?
In online trading, paying by invoice is a good option. Under no circumstances should you pay in advance. With credit cards you can also stop the amount. You have to be aware that you can also end up in a fake shop where you just get rid of money and get nothing in return. That’s why it’s good to pay on account. But then pay the entire amount at once.
The interview was conducted by Manuela Siegert.
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