Store cards

3 March 2005

The OFT has varied the terms of reference of the Competition Commission investigation into store cards.

The reference will now include network cards and insurance services connected to store cards.

See varied terms of reference.

Download reason for variation (pdf file 77 kb).
Download consultation letter on variation (pdf file 64 kb).

See Competition Commission website. 

18 March 2004

The OFT has referred the supply of store card services to the Competition Commission following a study into the £4.8 billion sector. This is the first market investigation reference to the Competition Commission under the Enterprise Act.

The OFT store cards study, launched in response to questions raised by the Treasury Select Committee, has concluded that there are features of the sector, both in the supply of store card credit to consumers and in the supply of store card services to retailers, that appear to prevent, restrict or distort competition.

See terms of reference, which is made under section 131 of the Enterprise Act 2002.

Download Store cards (pdf 617 kb)

See press release
See market study - store cards

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