Private-Label Credit Cards Soar Past $130 Billion by 2010

Packaged Facts anticipates that the market will continue to grow steadily at a compound annual rate of 4.4% over the next four years as branded cards -- everything from gas and home-store cards to fashion and boutique cards -- continue to find favor with consumers, even amid the glut of other payment options. The appeal of rewards, 0% financing, 10% off initial purchase, and similar tried-and-true marketing efforts, has not worn off. Consumers in all age brackets, from young adults to seniors, continue to avail themselves of easy private-label credit options. Not surprisingly, the three top private-label issuers -- Citi Commerce Solutions, GE Money, and HSBC -- dominate with a combined 81% market share. The remaining handful of third-party issuers and a few holdout proprietary issuers continue to maintain their presence in a climate of continuous consolidation, but with little hope of achieving significant growth. This 5th edition of Private-Label Credit Cards in the U.S. provides a pointed market analysis of a market that has exceeded expectations over the last five years. The report examines trends, mergers, and acquisitions; offers competitive profiles of industry leaders; and looks at consumer trends and behaviors surrounding the use of private-label cards.