Sweden’s Klarna buys influencer marketing platform APPRL

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Swedish payments firm Klarna said on Tuesday it had acquired influencer marketing software firm APPRL as it looked to tap into strong growth in shopping across social media channels.

Klarna said Stockholm-based APPRL, which helps content creators and retailers cooperate, was the latest addition to its growing roster of retailer marketing services. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Klarna, which allows shoppers to buy online through its merchant partners and settle their dues in instalments via a “buy now, pay later” process, said 28% of the United States’ population were expected to shop across social channels by 2022.

“By adding APPRL to Klarna’s existing retailer support expertise, we see a huge opportunity to create an enriching and informative shopping experience for consumers everywhere while accelerating retailer growth,” Klarna Chief Executive Sebastian Siemiatkowski said in a statement.

Klarna, which recently announced the acquisition of e-commerce technology firm Hero Towers Ltd, last month raised $639 million from a group of investors led by SoftBank’s Vision Fund II, lifting its valuation to about $46 billion.

The text, photographs, video, graphics, metadata, quotes, data, information, and all protectable intellectual property available through the this website is the property of Reuters and its licensors. It is provided by Reuters and its licensors to you for your personal use and information only. You may not use the Content or Service for any commercial purpose. You acknowledge that by accessing and using this the service, you agree to be legally bound by and hereby consent to these terms of use and the privacy policy.  Learn more in https://www.reutersagency.com/en/about/brand-attribution-guidelines/