Store cards are slowly losing relevance in Colombia as consumers increasingly turn to the convenience and flexibility of other payment options, especially credit cards and BNPL. Some retailers are turning to co-branded products rather then traditional store cards in response to this shift in behaviour, although store cards still remain a tool for creating and sustaining brand loyalty for some retailers.

Store cards in Chile remained on a downward trajectory in terms of the number of cards in circulation and transaction volumes and values in 2025. The decline in the category is underpinned by consumers continuing to favour other, more developed, payment methods, like debit, credit and open loop pre-paid cards. Many financial cards users prefer to consolidate spending on cards that offer broader merchant acceptance, better rewards and easier integration into digital wallets. Retailers have recogn

Store cards in Mexico saw growth in both transaction volume and the number of cards in circulation in 2025 as the leading department stores in the country performed well amid expansion. Store cards remain a key enabler of credit in the country, and the outlook for the category is buoyant, although the entry of numerous digital banks offering easy-to-access financial cards poses a threat.

Store cards are rapidly losing relevance as consumers shift to debit and credit cards and mobile wallets, while retailers show a growing preference for apps and alternative payment options. The market is seen to have little future potential with retailers expected to increasingly steer consumers towards co-branded cards and apps, while consumers are expected to focus on streamlining their wallets.

An old fashioned image and extremely limited acceptance mean that store cards is seeing decline in terms of card numbers, transaction volume and transaction value. Consumers are increasingly shifting to more convenient and widely accepted options, such as debit cards, credit cards and BNPL. At the same time, companies are proving less and less willing to invest in store cards, with several withdrawing their cards and focusing on other options.

Store cards’ growth is being shaped by a number of trends. Consumers are increasingly looking for automation and personalisation, as well as more flexible payment options. Security is also a growing concern. In addition, consumers demand card-linked offers, such as cashback and vouchers. However, there is growing competition for store cards in the form of more modern options, including co-branded credit cards and charge cards.

While Japanese retailing has traditionally offered an important role for high-end store cards, the situation is changing. Although the rise in the number of high-net-worth individuals offers potential for development despite a decline in the overall population, the shift to premium credit cards is undermining the position of store cards in retailers’ strategies.

Store cards registered significant decline across metrics in 2025 as retailers continued to shift away from traditional card propositions. The Argos NewDay partnership to upgrade legacy store cards with Argos-branded digital credit shows the future of retail finance, limiting the role of traditional cards as merchants focus on promoting gift cards in stores and apps.

Store cards is seeing decline as it suffers from increasing competition from alternative payment methods that offer greater flexibility. The fact that the core customer base of informal and low-income consumers has been hit particularly hard by recent challenging economic conditions has also weakened the performance of store cards.

Store cards saw a decline in circulation in 2025, despite the number of transactions increasing. Fewer Australians are opening new store card accounts or renewing their cards, but fuel cards are used consistently across the country.

Store cards have never played a major role in Austria and will remain a niche market, with a downward trend also seen in 2024. Most consumers in Austria are unfamiliar with store cards, they fear hidden costs with every additional payment method, and the usage of revolving credit in payment cards is generally uncommon in favour of overdraft facilities.

In 2024, the demand for store cards in South Africa continued to rise as local consumers’ disposable income weakened due to the higher cost of living. However, such demand increasingly faced lower approval rates due to retailers adopting a more restrictive credit policy to reduce exposure to bad debt and improve their cash flow management. A prominent example is Mr Price reporting a 32% increase in demand for new accounts in its half-year 2024 report, with only a 19% approval rate. Similarly, Th

Competition remains one of the biggest concerns for store cards, both currently, and in the years ahead. Traditional credit cards continue to see growth in the US, and have progressively pushed further and further into what was traditionally store cards territory. This is especially true in the case of cobranded cards, which often combine the merchant-specific benefits of a store card, with the much broader acceptance network of traditional credit cards. In addition, the continued growth of Buy

In 2024, store cards in Denmark recorded further decline, continuing a long-term trend that sets the category apart from the overall card market. While the total number of cards in circulation, transaction volumes and values are all rising, store cards is following a different trajectory. All key indicators - circulation, transactions and value - are falling, reflecting the cards’ diminished role in consumer payments. This pattern is consistent with previous years, excluding a few exceptions, re

The use of store cards continued to decline sharply in Peru in 2024, as traditional store cards continue to be transformed into Visa or Mastercard credit cards. As a result, very few store cards are still working in some regional stores, being those which are still within their validity period. This switch to credit cards is preferable for consumers, as it enables wider usage of such cards in other establishments where Visa or Mastercard are accepted, instead of cards being exclusive to one stor

As occurred throughout the review period, store cards in Italy has seen circulation numbers and volume and current value transactions contract in 2024. The use of these instruments has been falling steadily for over a decade amidst growing consumer migration to other types of financial cards and digital payment solutions that offer greater convenience and flexibility, more attractive loyalty reward programmes, lower interest rates etc. This has prompted major retail chains to scale back investme

Store cards in Portugal witnessed its number of cards in circulation continue to fall in 2024, with the decline driven largely by retailers’ cards shifting to the credit cards category. Transaction value rose marginally, however, boosted by improvements in available income as inflation subsided, and beneficial Euribor rates. Growth was still relatively low, though. Store cards is losing ground and this trend is set to persist throughout the forecast period as competition from other financial car

Store cards remain a niche category in Norway, with transactions on these cards continuing to decline in 2024 as they lose appeal as a form of payment. While Norway is one of the most advanced societies in the world regarding card payments, the digitalisation trend has had little impact on store cards. As a result, store cards have become increasingly marginalised in Norway and represent less than 1% of all card payments in the country.

2024 saw store cards in Canada benefit from increased investment in innovation and flexible features. With inflation still high, consumers continued to seek to save money on shopping. Retailers and store cards issuers have adapted to clients’ demands by including appealing features to cards issued. For example, Home Depot launched a promotion whereby no interest is charged on a single transaction if paid in full within 24 months, and no interest is charged for any transactions if paid in full wi

Store cards are suffering in Spain in 2024, in main due to El Corte Inglés’ switch to credit cards, alongside the fact that store cards are generally seen as old-fashioned.

Store card spending in Thailand continues to show steady growth as retailers actively ramp up marketing efforts to attract customers and boost sales. Regular discounts, seasonal events like double day sales, and larger promotional campaigns are playing a key role in stimulating consumer spending. Leading retail chain HomePro, for example, has introduced an appealing trade-in programme for old electronic appliances, offering customers discounts of up to THB10,000 on new products. Meanwhile, Lotus

As occurred throughout the review period, store cards in Argentina is set to post declines in volume transactions and circulation numbers in 2024. Consumer interest in such products has been diminishing for several years in line with the growing preference for financial cards and payment tools that provide greater versatility and flexibility. Consequently, retailers are increasingly scaling back investment in this category or exiting it altogether, and instead teaming up with banks and fintech f

Store cards, especially those from department stores, are designed to reward customer loyalty, offering exclusive benefits such as points, discounts, and special offers. Store cards is expected to remain the financial card type accounting for the smallest share of volume and value transactions in South Korea in 2024. Volume and current value transactions are expected to continue to grow in 2024, although only at low rates. This growth is largely being driven by the attractive rewards and benefit