Affirm survey: 90% of small businesses are confident in growth outlook and turning to flexible payments to compete

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[{"type":"text","content":"Finds business owners see Buy Now, Pay Later as a growth tool, a trust signal, and a way to level the playing field with bigger businesses","length":138,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}},{"type":"text","content":"SAN FRANCISCO, May 11, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM) today released results from its inaugural Small Business Sentiment Survey. The findings show small business owners are navigating a more demanding market but remain confident about the year ahead, looking to flexible payment options to help them keep pace.","length":324,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is one of those tools, with many saying it helps them attract customers and build trust. Most also said expanding access to these options would benefit both businesses and the consumers they serve.","length":223,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and this survey makes clear that they are resilient, ambitious, and always looking for an edge," said Pat Suh, SVP of Revenue at Affirm. "Nearly 70% told us BNPL acts as a stamp of approval in the eyes of their customers, signaling credibility at checkout and helping bring in new shoppers. This puts a premium on transparency and trust, which is exactly what small businesses are looking for in a partner as they work to stand out and grow."","length":522,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Small businesses are confident and ready to compete amid real pressure","length":70,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Small business owners are bullish on their prospects. 90% say they are confident in their business outlook over the next 12 months, with 65% saying their confidence is higher than at the same point last year. That optimism exists alongside ongoing economic pressure: 86% say rising costs are a top concern, and 61% say they worry about competing with larger businesses.","length":369,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"BNPL is moving from nice-to-have to a competitive need","length":54,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Small businesses broadly agree that flexible payment options help level the playing field. 70% say BNPL helps attract new customers, and 66% say it helps them compete with bigger businesses.","length":190,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Among respondents cur...

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