The PC gaming industry has seen steady growth in recent years despite inflation and shifts in demographics. One contributing factor to this growth has been the massive rise in popularity of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solutions.
According to Similarweb, 27% of US-based respondents used BNPL technology within the last 12 months alone. This trend is predicted to increase exponentially, with BNPL market size expected to reach $596.7B by 2026. With this in mind, it is clear that BNPL is proving to be a valuable tool for the PC gaming market to maximize profits and appeal to wider audiences.
How point of sale financing is changing the game and surging ahead of inflation?
Overall, the growing demand for BNPL solutions and point of sale financing such as those offered by WeGetFinancing has contributed significantly to the surge in PC Gaming sales – allowing gamers to acquire top-of-the-line equipment, gain experience that they might not have been able to afford otherwise, and poising the entire PC gaming market for continued expansion.
PC Console Costs on the Rise
Gaming PCs and consoles can be quite expensive, with the most advanced models costing thousands of dollars. To begin with, the baseline cost of building a decent gaming PC with a quad-core processor, 8GB RAM, and a mid-range graphics card begins from $500. However, if you seek top-of-the-line components like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 graphics card, high clock speed memory, liquid cooling systems, and an advanced Ryzen processor, the cost may exceed $3,500.
In terms of software costs, PC gaming offers a wider range of options than consoles, with games available at varying price points from free-to-play titles to premium games that cost upwards of $60. Additionally, PC gamers may have to factor in other costs, such as the price of peripherals like gaming mice and keyboards or the cost of a high-quality gaming monitor. But despite the higher upfront costs associated with PC gaming, many argue that the greater degree of customization, flexibility, and versatility make it a more cost-effective option in the long run. This is especially true when financing options are available.
Buy Now Pay Later single handedly easing the impacts of inflation
Buy now pay later solutions have emerged as a popular payment option for customers, especially in the wake of inflationary trends. For consumers, inflation can lead to decreased purchasing power, meaning that they are less likely to make high-value purchases. However, by providing point of sale financing, BNPL providers can alleviate that pressure and aid both consumers and merchants.
In fact, the booming PC gaming market has been a significant beneficiary of such financing solutions, with companies like OriginPC owned by Corsair, experiencing a significant 40% increase in sales amid economic downturn thanks to WeGetFinancing’s multi-lender platform.
- Flexibility to Buy High-Value Items – As inflationary pressure increases, consumers may be hesitant to make high-value purchases with their hard-earned money. However, with BNPL solutions, customers can purchase items that they may not otherwise have been able to afford. By breaking down the total payment into smaller installments, they can enjoy more flexibility and convenience when making purchases.
- A Large Spectrum of Lenders and Financing Options – Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z customers are all avid gamers in the PC gaming market. Still, they typically have varying credit scores, with younger consumers often having lower credit scores. Thus, it is crucial to have a wide range of financing options catering to both these groups to cater to their diverse financial backgrounds. WeGetFinancing’s partnership with multiple lenders ensures that the financing spectrum is vast, keeping in mind the customer’s financial situation.
- Supporting Trends and Demands in The PC Gaming Market – In PC gaming, consumers often make several high-value purchases for in-game purchases and subscriptions. By offering BNPL options, gaming companies can provide an opportunity for their customers to make these purchases without the worry of immediate financial pressure. This has been proven time and time again to boost customer retention, increase average order value, and of course, maximize overall sales.
Trends of PC gaming in the United States
The PC gaming market in the United States has been steadily growing over the years, and it is currently valued at around $9 billion. According to market research, this figure is expected to experience a 10% compound growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2030.
To date, there are three product categories in the gaming PC market fueling this growth:
- Desktop Computers – The market for gaming desktops continues to be the leader in terms of product categories. In 2020, the desktop category captured over 58% of the total gaming PC market revenue. This trend is expected to continue on due to the increasing demand for high-end gaming experiences and advanced processing power. The desktop category is projected to experience a CAGR of 8.17% from 2021 to 2030.
- Gaming Laptops – Laptop gaming PCs are also gaining popularity within the United States gaming PC market. The laptop category constitutes over 30% of the total gaming PC market revenue, with the increase in portability and the ability to play games on the go being driving factors for this category’s growth. The laptop category is projected to experience a CAGR of 7% from 2021 to 2030.
- Peripherals – Peripherals such as gaming keyboards, mice, headphones, and monitors are also in demand as they enhance the gaming experience. While peripherals are holding a relatively smaller market share than desktops and laptops, their steady growth is still respectable. According to IMARC, the United States gaming peripherals market is expected to reach $2.8B by 2028, exhibiting a growth rate of 7.5%. The rise of esports has had an enormous impact here, as gamers continue to invest in high-performance and custom-designed equipment to gain an edge in gameplay.
Key financing apps driving pc gaming growth
Buy now, pay later eCommerce has become increasingly popular for online shoppers. Key ones supporting the market today include Affirm, Afterpay, Apple Pay Later, Klarna, and PayPal. These BNPL finance apps offer a variety of financing options, including pay-in-four plans and monthly payment options, which are available at major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Nordstrom. While there is no shortage of options, one standout player in the BNPL industry is WeGetFinancing.
With its user-friendly interface and diverse lender network, WeGetFinancing is quickly becoming the go-to choice for consumers looking for the best BNPL financing options. Unlike other BNPL providers, WeGetFinancing is not a single lender resource, meaning that it connects consumers to a network of finance lenders who can offer personalized financing options. This is particularly advantageous for the PC gaming market, where customers may require more flexible payment options due to the wide demographics. Additionally, with WeGetFinancing’s point of sale financing option, customers can get instant credit decisions and funding, making it the top player for those who value speed and convenience.
Single lenders vs. Multiple
In the highly competitive world of eCommerce, businesses are turning steadfastly to Buy Now Pay Later financing to attract more customers. While single lenders such as Affirm, Klarna, Bread, and PayPal are fast gaining popularity, it has become evident that they do not fully cater to the varying financing needs of different demographics and credit profiles. In turn, it only confuses consumers and poses the risk of them not pursuing the sale at all. This is where multiple lender services come into play. By going with a multi-lender service like WeGetFinancing, PC businesses can cover a much larger spectrum of lenders and financing options for their customers. This translates directly to increased conversion rates for merchants and a seamless experience for customers.
The PC gaming market is a prime example of an industry that could benefit greatly from multiple BNPL financing options. Both Boomers and Gen Z customers are interested in PC gaming, but the average credit score of Gen Z customers is generally lower than that of Boomer customers. Therefore, it is essential for PC gaming companies to cover a large spectrum of lenders and financing options. By going with a multiple financing option lender, PC gaming companies can expand their customer base while simplifying the financing process for customers. This approach significantly increases conversion and drives revenue growth in the increasingly competitive gaming industry.
Cons Of Single Lender Financing
- Credit Impact: Applying for financing with multiple lenders can adversely affect your credit score, as each application submitted triggers a “hard inquiry” on your credit report.
- Risk Of Uncompetitive Terms: If you are relying solely on one lender for financing, there is a risk that the terms and conditions they offer may not be as competitive as what other lenders are offering.
- Lack Of Flexibility: Opting for a single lender means that you are tied to that specific lender’s financing terms and conditions.
- Limited Protections: When relying on a single lender, you may not have as many protections in place to help you in case of unexpected events, such as job loss or disability.
The future of financing is here
As the ever-evolving PC gaming market continues to grow, so does the demand for flexible financing solutions. All in all, the point-of-sale financing model has become increasingly popular in the PC gaming market as gamers tend to have high-ticket purchases, and the option to pay for it over a period that suits their budget is attractive. With consumers being able to access finance immediately after making their purchase, along with the surging demand as gaming innovations release, BNPL financing is expected to remain an integral part of the PC gaming arena.
In summary, BNPL financing is poised to help revolutionize the future of the gaming industry, enabling gamers to level up without sacrificing financial stability. With expected growth in both the BNPL and PC gaming markets, the demand for flexible financing solutions will continue to increase. Companies that offer BNPL options can remain competitive and attract customers who may not have had the means to purchase high-end equipment and software before. As the world becomes more reliant on technology and entertainment, the need for affordable and accessible financing options will only continue to rise.
Offering financing options can increase average order value by up to 120%. Additionally, 56% of customers are more likely to shop at a store that offers financing options. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to boost your PC sales and customer satisfaction. Contact WeGetFinancing today to learn more about how their multi-lender financing solutions can benefit your business.
