Consumer Finance

Store cards are often referred to as “Gaisho cards” in Japan. Gaisho is a department most often found in department stores, positioned somewhat like direct selling. Gaisho are elite staff members with high levels of skill and experience, and these…

Store cards continued to register a negative performance in 2023, in terms of both the number of cards in circulation and the value of transactions, continuing the trend established during the review period. This was due to strong competition from…

Store cards remained non-existent in Israel in 2021. No retailers have expressed a strong interest in offering these types of financial cards. Moreover, there is currently no indication that store cards will emerge in the country at any point during…

Store cards remains a negligible category in the country. The majority of establishments in India tend to offer loyalty cards (these can be used to add and store reward points as credit currency, a simpler solution without the threat of debt…

There are currently no store cards in circulation in Hungary. Magyar Cetelem Bank stopped offering store cards in 2008 and no retailers have since signalled any intention to relaunch such services. Instead, retailers are collaborating with banks to…

The presence of store cards remained negligible in Greece during 2022. No major interest in launching products in this category of the financial cards has been shown by any of the country’s financial cards issuers. In particular, the unfavourable…

In 2023, store cards in Germany faced stagnant development. Despite a brief resurgence in 2021 and 2022, the category has struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels. The decline is attributed to the growing consumer preference for alternative loyalty…

From many years, there has been a decline in the number of store cards in France, along with a lowering of the average spend. The economic context and inflationary pressures are notable factors here, along with the fact that French consumers…

Store cards continue to lose popularity in Denmark, with the number of cards in circulation expected to fall slightly, with total transaction value falling significant. This is in spite of rising inflation. Store cards have not kept up with…

Store cards are expected to continue their downward trajectory in 2023 in both transaction value and the number of cards in circulation. With consumers having more alternatives to choose from pre-paid, including credit or debit cards offering…

An intriguing metamorphosis is underway in the realm of store cards across Chile. Witnessing a downward trajectory, this transformation is driven by two pivotal factors, revolutionising the market and empowering consumers. First, the consumer…

Store cards is recording only low growth in Canada in 2023, for several reasons. A glaring limitation lies in store cards’ narrowed reward horizons, compounded by a restricted usability across disparate retail chains. This inherent constriction has…

One notable historical factor contributing to the popularity of store cards in Brazil is the ease of acquisition. Typically, consumers can swiftly register for a store card in-store, a process often completed in five minutes or less. This…

Store cards remained a niche in Austria in 2023, continuing a downward trend with a double-digit decline in transaction values despite the continuing shift to card payments. Most consumers in Austria are unfamiliar with store cards, and the usage of…

Usage of store cards in Australia has not improved post-pandemic, as the product has fallen out of favour among consumers. Credit cards are more competitive in terms of rewards and can be used anywhere, while store cards are restricted to specific…

In recent years, there has been a notable shift in consumer preference from store-specific cards to more versatile credit cards, allowing them to use a single card for all purchases. This shift has compelled store cards to transition into credit…

Evolving customer loyalty triggers businesses to redefine their strategies and business models and deliver authenticity, flexibility and a seamless customer journey. Building a deeper, more emotional connection with the individual customer through a…

Due to intense competition and fragmentation in the foodservice industry, many restaurant operators are focusing on customer retention strategies via loyalty programmes. The surge in delivery apps has facilitated this shift, allowing seamless…

The performance of pre-paid cards is supported by the growth of e-commerce – notably since the era of the pandemic. In fact, prior to 2020, transaction numbers in pre-paid cards were showing a negative performance, in sharp contrast to what is seen…

Turkey is witnessing dynamic growth in social media and gaming expenditure. While consumers above the age of 18 and those in the workforce have the option to obtain credit or debit cards to access their wages, a different consumer profile is emerging…