With this partnership, retailers can combine the incentive of cash back with the flexibility and convenience of Buy Now, Pay Later to help shoppers ease the financial stress on their wallets this holiday season.

Shoppers enrolled with Rakuten and Afterpay who make purchases from participating merchants like MAC Cosmetics, Crocs, Ulta Beauty, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Ugg, Ray-Ban and thousands more, will earn cash back while opting to pay over time in four, interest-free installments. In turn, the combined offering can help merchants experience benefits like higher conversion rates and average order values.

"Working with Rakuten, we are able to help consumers spend responsibly during the busiest shopping season of the year, while also providing merchants with a two-in-one solution to deliver new customers and drive higher conversion rates," said Melissa Davis, Chief Revenue Officer at Afterpay. "Heading into this holiday season, we couldn't be more excited to join forces with Rakuten for the benefit of shoppers and merchant partners alike."

Cash back and Buy Now, Pay Later are proven strategies for helping brands attract high-value shoppers and increase their sales. Bringing together Rakuten and Afterpay gives retailers the opportunity to leverage these strategies together to offer elevated incentives that deliver even higher value for savvy shoppers.

"Offering unique deals and incentives is a key strategy for driving conversions of more expensive, luxury products," said Kristen Gall, president at Rakuten Rewards. "In fact, luxury items saw an 86% sales lift over non-luxury items in a recent Cash Back promotion - showing Cash Back is universally valued, and not just by habitual coupon cutters. We're thrilled to partner with Afterpay to offer our retail and brand partners the opportunity to deliver the convenience of Buy Now, Pay Later that will help give their customers the ability to receive Cash Back on purchases immediately while paying over time, interest-free."