Amazon to stop accepting VISA credit cards
They've emailed customers this morning
Last updated 17th Nov 2021
Online retailer Amazon is going to stop accepting payments from Visa credit cards in the new year.
The company emailed customers to confirm it will stop accepting payments made using Visa credit cards issued in the UK “starting January 19 2022”.
Amazon cited the high cost of processing transactions using credit cards as the reason behind the move.
Customers will still be able to use debit cards, including Visa, and non-Visa credit cards, it said.
Reactions to the decision
A spokesperson for Amazon said that the cost of accepting credit card payments was proving to be an "obstacle" trying to give customers the best prices on products.
"These costs should be going down over time with technological advancements, but instead they continue to stay high or even rise," they said.
"With the rapidly changing payments landscape around the world, we will continue innovating on behalf of customers to add and promote faster, cheaper, and more inclusive payment options to our stores across the globe."
Speaking about the retailer's decision, A Visa spokeswoman said: "We are very disappointed that Amazon is threatening to restrict consumer choice in the future.
"When consumer choice is limited, nobody wins."
Who owns what on the High Street?
Burtons and Dorothy Perkins
Online retailer Boohoo have bought both the Dorothy Perkins and Burton brands from Arcadia group. They haven't taken the actual shops though, which will permanently close.
Wallis
Fashion brand Wallis was also part of the £25.2 million deal that Boohoo made for parts of the Arcadia group, including Burton and Dorothy Perkins, which mean the Wallis shops will also leave the High Street.
Topshop & Topman
ASOS have bought this part of the failed Arcadia group, paying £292 million for brands including Topshop and Topman. The shops themselves were not part of the deal though, so it looks like they will close.
Miss Selfridge
Miss Selfridge was another one of the brands that ASOS bought alongside Topshop, Topman and HIIT and will also mean the shops will close.
Debenhams
Boohoo have also bought the Debenhams in a £55 million deal which saw the company's 242-year-old name survive but all 118 stores shut.
Oasis and Warehouse
Boohoo have been expanding for the last few years - in 2020 they bought Oasis and Warehouse's online element for £5.25 million as the shops had already closed.
Karen Millen & Coast
Boohoo also bought the brands Karen Millen and Coast in 2019 when it went into administration and stores closed.