Klarna names winners of £3m Small Business Support Package

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Oct 27, 2021

Activewear brand SOS, intimates brand Pantee and UpCircle Beauty are among the 100 winners of Klarna’s inaugural £3 million ‘Small Business Support Package’ to help pandemic-hit retail SMEs get back on their feet.

Launched in July by the buy-now-pay-later financier, and attracting 1,135 applicants, winners were spread across four categories: Retail Innovator, Omnichannel Trailblazer, Sustainability Champion and Pandemic Impact.

Recipients ranged from micro-businesses with a £5,000 turnover to those growing rapidly and turning over £2.5 million annually.

Each winning SME will receive specialist support across numerous elements of their business operations. The package includes complementary use of Klarna’s Pay later products for one year, WeWork All Access passes for three months and £15,000 worth of Klarna media services including in-app advertising, social media and promotional support on the Klarna app.

Alex Marsh, Head of UK at Klarna said: “The retail industry has been hit hard by the pandemic and British SMEs have faced the brunt of it. It was certainly a hard decision but the businesses we have chosen are truly making a difference across the industry, from sustainability to innovation, and we’re excited to be part of their future growth.”