American Express continues its UK growth momentum with further high-profile businesses from a range of sectors joining the network. Taken together, these merchant signings represent thousands of new places that now accept American Express Card payments.
In the retail sector, American Express has signed acceptance agreements with discount retailer Savers, which operates around 500 stores nationwide. Additionally, thousands of Heron Foods, McColl’s and Morrisons Daily convenience stores across the country are now accepting.
Further strengthening presence in the charity sector, end-of-life charity Marie Curie now welcomes Amex Card payments, joining seven fellow high street charity shop chains, including Sue Ryder, Barnardo’s and Shelter, in accepting.
Edinburgh Zoo and Chester Zoo, which is the UK’s most popular zoo welcoming two million visitors a year, join many other leading visitor attractions on the network, including the likes of London Dungeon, Legoland and Alton Towers. In the leisure sector, Bannatyne Health Clubs across the UK now accepts Amex.
The latest signings join an ever-increasing number of businesses that see the value of accepting Amex, including every major supermarket chain and, earlier this year, household names such as B&M and Timpson. The total number of accepting UK locations has grown by almost a third (30%) year-on-year.
Dan Edelman, vice president and general manager, UK merchant services at American Express, said: “This year we’ve continued our positive momentum by ensuring our Cardmembers can use their Amex Card at more of the places they want to shop. More locations than ever before in the UK now accept American Express Card payments meaning our merchants are benefitting from welcoming our loyal and high-spending Cardmembers through their doors.”
When it comes to small merchants, American Express backs these businesses through its ongoing Shop Small campaign, which encourages shoppers to spend with them. This year, hundreds of thousands of local independent shops were included in the Shop Small Offer, which gave American Express Cardmembers a £5 statement credit when they spent £15 or more (up to three times) at participating small businesses between 1-3 December 2023. The Shop Small Offer is fully funded by American Express at no cost to merchants.
Pay with Bank transfer continues growth
Furthermore, American Express’ innovative Pay with Bank transfer product continues to gain traction among merchants from a range of sectors. The Open Banking-powered product gives merchants a way of accepting online and in-store payments from their customers via a direct bank account transfer.
Merchants benefit from faster payments and improved transaction conversion rates thanks to a simpler customer checkout process. New merchant partnerships include leading bus operator Go Ahead, energy firm OVO Energy and football clubs Fulham FC, Watford FC and Stoke City FC, where fans can use the product for online purchases from the clubs’ shops.
Pay with Bank transfer is another way American Express is offering digital-first solutions, giving customers greater choice in how they pay.
