Klarna acquires APPRL, connecting retailers and content creators as global consumers embrace social shopping

STOCKHOLM and NEW YORK, July 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Klarna, a leading global retail bank, payments and shopping service, today announces the acquisition of APPRL, a SaaS platform that allows content creators and retailers to work together frictionlessly to bring immersive and informative shoppable content to global consumers. 

Klarna is a global growth partner for its 250,000+ retailers, constantly expanding the suite of tools they can leverage to engage with consumers in dynamic ways. APPRL, based in Stockholm with a global client base, is the latest addition to Klarna's growing roster of retailer marketing services, powering merchant growth through the content that allows consumers to shop smarter through inspiration, reviews, customer service or product and price comparison. 

Klarna's retailer support offering now includes a Comparison Shopping Service, an AI-driven styling engine and content creation platform, and most recently, HERO, a world leader in conversational commerce. Together, these platform services help consumers make informed decisions about purchasing the products they want from the retailers they love and at the best price. APPRL will further enhance Klarna's marketing services by allowing retailers to connect directly to relevant content creators to create social shopping content and track campaign results through Klarna.  

Social commerce is expected to account for $84 billion of US retail sales by 2024¹ with 48% of US Millennial and Gen Z internet users already having purchased products through social channels². Social shopping is growing across all demographics, and by 2022, 28% of the entire US population are expected to shop across social channels³.

Sebastian Siemiatkowski, CEO of Klarna commented: "As social shopping becomes a core element of the retail experience, we believe Klarna's position at the center of the shopping ecosystem is instrumental in connecting retailers to both consumers and content creators who resonate with their brand audiences. 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."

Martin Landén, CEO of APPRL commented: "We are incredibly excited to join Klarna on its impressive journey and bold mission ahead. As retailers continue to embrace influencer marketing as their growth engine, with an increasing focus on ROI, data and automation, APPRL has been seeing an exponential increase in demand. With APPRL's platform together with Klarna's scale, incredible talent and portfolio of marketing services, we will be able to offer retailers an end-to-end influencer and performance marketing solution that they won't be able to find anywhere else."  

1 Business Insider; TechNavio; 2019
2 Bizrate Insights; April 2020; 18-65 years; internet users
3 eMarketer; 2018 to 2019;
 

For additional information, please contact:

Aoife Houlihan, VP of Communications
Phone: +46 (0) 72855 8047
Email: [email protected]

About Klarna
With over 90 million global active users and 2 million transactions a day, Klarna is meeting the changing demands of consumers who want to shop, pay and bank on one intuitive platform and with one trusted brand. Over 250,000 global retail partners, including H&M, Saks, Sephora, Macys, IKEA, Expedia Group, Samsung, ASOS, Peloton, Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nike and Shein have enabled Klarna's innovative shopping experience online and in-store. Klarna is one of the most highly valued private fintechs globally with a valuation of $45.6 billion. Klarna was founded in 2005, has over 4,000 employees and is active in 17 markets. Klarna has been backed by Sequoia Capital since 2010 and more recently, SilverLake, Dragoneer, Bestseller Group, Permira, Ant Group, HMI Capital, TCV, NorthZone, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Merian Chrysalis Investment Company Limited, funds and accounts managed by BlackRock amongst others.

About APPRL
APPRL is an end-to-end influencer marketing software, tailored for the needs of e-commerce brands, where marketers can find high-performing creators, collaborate efficiently and track performance in real-time. APPRL's platform enables millions of global consumers to shop influencer content from retailers such as Harvey Nichols, Shopbop, Dr Martens, Luisaviaroma and many more.
http://apprl.com 
 

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SOURCE Klarna Bank AB (publ)