Buy now pay later finance provider Klarna has launched its Virtual Shopping model in Ireland.

Earlier this year Klarna launched its Virtual Shopping tools across 18 markets, and the company says it is being used by scores of brands, including Hugo Boss and Dyson.

When online vendors install the technology, consumers can shop online and receive guidance from in-store teams through live video and messaging.

Shoppers can view photos and videos of items up close and watch live product demos directly from the store floor, demonstrating everything from how a piece of clothing fits off the rack to the colour of a cosmetic product or the size of a piece of furniture.

Shoppers connect with an in-store expert when they click the Virtual Shopping icon on integrated stores from the retailer’s website. Once connected, they can chat, receive photos and videos, follow product recommendations, and even have a two-way video chat.

In Association with

To connect with online shoppers, retailers use the new merchant-facing Klarna Store app for iOS and Android.

Once connected, they can begin engaging with consumers by text, chat and video

Klarna chief marketing officer David Sandström commented: “Online shopping has been missing a key element - human interaction.

"With Virtual Shopping, we replicate the brick-and-mortar experience of receiving personalised advice from an in-store expert and bring it to the online realm. This will empower our partnered retailers around the world to bring their online stores to life and build customer relationships that last.”

Klarna research of 1,095 Irish consumers in Q2 2022 found that three out of four shoppers believe that retailers need to invest in new technology.

Earlier this year Klarna announced a Q1 loss of $254m, and chief executive Sebastian Siemiatkowski is cutting the workforce by 10%.

The CEO blamed the rise in inflation and a growing negative shift in consumer confidence as part of the reason for the job cuts.