In a few short years, the private-label credit card market has seen a near total shift in the control of card portfolios; with very few exceptions, retailers have given up on in-house control, and have unloaded their private-label programs on third-party issuers. After a string of enormous acquisitions, including the 2005-06 purchase of the receivables of the newly merged Federated and May Department Stores, Citi Commerce dwarfs the rest. Yet second-tier players GE Money, HSBC, and Alliance Data have also made notable acquisitions and expansions—and even J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., barely on the radar in 2004, essentially doubled its receivables with the 2006 acquisition of Kohl’s retail card program.

By themselves, none of these deals have increased the overall size of the market, but they have freed retailers to focus on their core businesses, to explore ways to attract cardholders, and to experiment with more ambitious reward and loyalty programs. At the same time, most of the third-party bank issuers have increased their investment in behind-the-scenes services for their retail card partners, offering more assistance with everything from marketing and advertising to rewards administration and customer service. As a result, the market has exceeded earlier growth predictions, with surprising gains in 2004 and 2005 and continued growth in store for the near future.

Private Label Credit Cards in the U.S. focuses on the $106 billion private-label credit card industry, covering cards issued directly by retailers as well as cards issued by third parties, with some discussion of oil & gas cards managed by third-party issuers. The report examines ongoing trends in the private-label market—including rapid consolidation among market leaders, the seemingly inevitable decline of proprietary card programs, and the private-label market’s embrace of trends and tactics made popular in the general-purpose segment, especially co-branded cards and rewards programs. It also explores the state of private-label card marketing and advertising, the influence of card processors on the retail card market, and the impact of new technology on private-label card account generation and administration. Also included are detailed company profiles of the leading bankcard associations and card issuers—including Citi Commerce Solutions, GE Money, HSBC, Alliance Data, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.—as well as a survey of the demographics, shopping habits, and consumer attitudes of private-label credit card holders.

Report Methodology
The information in Private Label Credit Cards in the U.S. is based on both primary and secondary research. Primary research involved interviews with marketing, public relations and industry analysts within the banking, retail and credit card markets and consultants to the industry. Secondary research entailed data-gathering from relevant trade, business, and government sources, including company literature, annual reports and 10(k) filings, and data from databases such as CardSource.

What You’ll Get in this Report
Private Label Credit Cards in the U.S. makes important predictions and recommendations regarding the future of this market, and pinpoints ways current and prospective players can capitalize on current trends and spearhead new ones. No other market research report provides both the comprehensive analysis and extensive data that Private Label Credit Cards in the U.S. offers.

Plus, you’ll benefit from extensive data, presented in easy-to-read and practical charts, tables and graphs.

How You Will Benefit from this Report
If your company is already doing business in the private label credit market, or is considering making the leap, you will find this report invaluable, as it provides a comprehensive package of information and insight not offered in any other single source. You will gain a thorough understanding of the current market for private label credit cards, as well as projected markets and trends through 2010.

This report will help:

• Marketing Managers identify market opportunities and develop targeted promotion plans for private label credit cards.
• Research and development professionals stay on top of competitor initiatives and explore demand for private label credit cards.
• Advertising agencies working with clients in the banking and retail industries understand the product buyer to develop messages and images that compel consumers to use private label credit cards.
• Business development executives understand the dynamics of the market and identify possible partnerships.
• Information and research center librariansprovide market researchers, brand and product managers and other colleagues with the vital information they need to do their jobs more effectively.

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