Laybuy's New Zealand parent entered administration in May 2023, significantly affecting UK operations. The UK business continues in reduced form, but future viability is uncertain. Existing users should continue repayments; new users should choose a more established BNPL provider.
Laybuy is a Buy Now Pay Later provider founded in Auckland, New Zealand in 2017 that expanded rapidly into the UK market during the BNPL boom of 2019–2022. At its peak, Laybuy was one of several mid-tier BNPL providers in the UK competing with Klarna and Clearpay across fashion and lifestyle retail. The company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in 2020, raising capital for international expansion. However, the broader BNPL sector faced severe headwinds from 2022 onwards as rising interest rates dramatically increased the cost of the credit funding that underpins BNPL business models.
In May 2023, Laybuy's New Zealand parent company entered administration, which significantly disrupted UK operations. The UK business has not fully ceased trading, but its capacity, retail partnerships, and customer service function have all been materially reduced. New retail partnerships are not being formed at the same rate, and the number of merchants offering Laybuy as a payment option at checkout has declined considerably. This creates genuine uncertainty about the long-term future of the UK operation.
If you currently have an outstanding Laybuy balance, it is important to continue making your repayments as scheduled. Even when a BNPL company is in administration, the outstanding debt obligations remain valid, and missed payments can still result in late fees and credit report entries. For new purchases, we strongly recommend using Klarna, Clearpay, or Zilch instead — all of which operate with significantly more stability. Laybuy is not a scam and was legitimate, but its current operational situation makes it a higher-risk choice.