Argos, Iceland, Dunelm, Euronics, Tapi onboard as Fair for You launches prepaid shopping card loan

Charity owned lender Fair for You has launched a new prepaid shopping card loan with retail partners including Argos, Iceland, Dunelm, Euronics, Tapi and Chemist Direct.

As the UK government sets out plans for buy now pay later regulation, it says that it hopes to help millions of Brits who can't get mainstream credit including BNPL or whose financial circumstance require greater flexibility and control than mainstream lenders provide.

It is allowing customers to apply for a credit limit of up to £350. Money is loaded onto a prepaid Mastercard that can be used as part or full payment online or in-store at partner retailers, and users can apply to top up once their balance is nearly paid off. Fair for You has plans to add more retailers to the scheme shortly.

Simon Dukes, Chief Executive at Fair for You CIC, says: “Across the UK, millions of people have less than £100 in savings or will struggle to get credit, including through BNPL providers. We want to make sure that those people can purchase life’s essentials, whether it’s putting down flooring in a new home, buying school uniform or baby equipment or replacing an appliance when it packs in."

“As a specialist charity owned lender, we are experts in lending responsibly to people who need help to spread the cost of essential purchases. Our customers have few other fair options  - they are getting declined by commercial lenders simply because these lenders won’t go to the trouble of offering the control and flexibility that we do.”

“Upcoming regulation of BNPL providers may make this option even less available to our customers. The Fair for You Shopping Card is offering a hand-up rather than a hand out to tens of thousands of families. Moreover, every payment our customers make helps to repair their credit file.”

Alex Rogers, Head of Partnerships at Tapi Carpets & Floors, says: “Partnering with Fair for You is a central part of helping our customers who are finding it hard financially, particularly those in rented accommodation needing to update their home with essential flooring but who don’t have the savings to pay upfront. We look forward to demonstrating our extensive product and service offering to a new audience and continuing to improve even more homes.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

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

The awards, which are now open for entries, 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.