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...

Concessionaires(shops‐within‐shops) have long been a feature of the department store and more recently of the “superstore”. This article examines the use by two major retailers, Tesco and Debenhams, of concessionaires as a strategic option, to create “breathing space” for themselves...

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...

Examines the history and economics of the credit card before describing the origins of the affinity card concept both in the USA and the UK. Explores different strategies of some major UK affinity card issuers and the aspirations of the affinity groups with whom a mutually beneficial...

The credit card industry in the UK has a growing number of affinity cards, some of which are specifically aimed at the alumni of universities. Discusses the evolution of the relationship between the university alumni officers and the credit card issuers responsible for the alumni affinity cards....

Purpose – There has been limited research into financial services customers’ perceptions of how fairly they are treated by financial services providers. Fairness as a concept has its theoretical roots in the theory of justice and equity and has been conceptualised as being made up of two...

Only a small proportion of consumer borrowing is provided by bank and retailer credit cards. Discusses how recent changes in credit card terms and societal attitudes may further reduce that borrowing. Suggests debit cards will become increasingly important as a means of payment in the UK –...