Ethical lender Fair for You announces electronics and tech firm Currys as latest retail partner

Currys is joining the likes of Dunelm, Argos, Iceland Foods, Tapi Carpets & Floors and Euronics in accepting payment online or in-store with the new Fair for You Shopping Card loan.

This provides up to £350 loaded onto a prepaid Mastercard that can be used online or in-store at partner retailers, and users can apply to top up once their balance is nearly paid off.

Fair for You claims that, thanks to having no profit motive, it is able to help millions of people who get turned down by banks and buy now pay later firms and who may not meet the requirements for in-store credit options. It says it will only lend to people who can afford to repay when given flexibility and control over repayments.

Simon Dukes, Chief Executive at Fair for You CIC, says:  "Now that Currys accepts the Fair for You Shopping Card loan we can help bring more laptops to families to support with education and work and washing machines to busy parents - all helping to make life easier and less stressful. We’re responding to high customer need for essential household tech.”

“Our customers have few other available options  - but as a specialist, not for profit lender we offer the control and flexibility that enables people with tight finances to repay successfully. The Fair for You Shopping Card loan is offering a hand-up rather than a hand-out to tens of thousands of families. Plus, every payment our customers make helps to repair their credit file.”

Fair for You is backed by various anti-poverty and financial inclusion organisations, including government backed Fair4All Finance, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Social Investment Scotland.      

 The APR that Fair for You is obliged to state on its Shopping Card loan is 64.8%, although it claims that actual interest repayments are among the lowest in the affordable credit industry due to its model of only applying interest to the diminishing balance.

This means that a £250 loan with Fair for You, paid back through 15 weekly payments of £18.01 each means a total loan amount of £270.16 (so actual interest paid is £20.16, or 8.1%). Alternatively, a £350 loan paid back through payments every four weeks, over a total of 32 weeks, means a total of £414.56 (actual interest being £64.56 or 18.4%).

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Payments will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now closed for entries with our finalists and shortlists being announced last week, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.