Reports on research into the payments markets of both Australia and the UK, in the context of the concept of relationship marketing. It compares the evolution of the various types of payment; cash, paper cheques, debit and credit cards and examines the linkages with relationship marketing from...

Explains that the smart card is increasingly being held and used by consumers in the UK, particularly in its electronic purse or loyalty card capacity. The smart card is a plastic card that carries an embedded computer chip with memory and interactive capabilities. Describes the current major...

Over the last five years, a great deal of attention has been paid to the genesis of what have come to be termed local loyalty cards. Researches the development of the pioneering card – based in Leominster, Herefordshire. This programme of research has led to contacts with a large number of...

With the deregulation of the financial services sector in many countries and the proliferation of different channels of distribution for financial services products, non-traditional providers have sought to enter what they perceive as this lucrative market. Retailers are amongst those...

Aims to expand the traditional view of marketing to include a wider network of actors, all of which have a role to play in executing transactions. Measurement has traditionally been a stumbling‐block: while the importance of actors other than those forming the traditional dyad is accepted, it...

The article is based on both secondary and primary research into the use of plastic payment cards in China. The secondary research offers an understanding of the history and current situation of payment cards in China, whilst the primary research provides insights into the uniqueness of the...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities and challenges for “foreign” financial institutions who wish to enter the Chinese market. It uses the credit card product to illustrate the complexities of this market. Design/methodology/approach – Building on a...

Purpose – This study seeks to examine why most multiple credit cardholders have a “main” card (i.e. a card used more often than others) and “subsidiary” cards (i.e. cards used less often or only in an emergency) and the spending patterns associated with main and subsidiary cards....

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present exploratory research into the holding and usage of credit cards by a distinct segment of the Chinese population, who are “early adopters” of this product. Design/methodology/approach – Primary data collection using survey methodology. A...

Following a discussion of the total United Kingdom market for plastic cards, detailed information is given about the number and nature of retailer credit cards (store cards) currently issued in the United Kingdom. Retailers in the USA and Italy are already competing with the traditional...