CardTrak.com - Most Trusted Source of Credit Cards Since 1986

By Thomas Redman, CardTrak.com

Credit card acceptance continues to expand, especially into smaller purchases. Last year, VISA reported that fast food sales on credit/debit cards, which average about $12 per sale, increased 67%, while small ticket sales, $5.00 or less, grew by more than 25%. Other emerging markets for credit and debit cards include: bill payment, business-to-business, government, and charitable/social service organizations. In 2004, VISA's U.S. volume in new and emerging merchant segments increased 25.2% to more than $152.7 billion, compared to 2003.

                    VISA USA's GROSS DOLLAR VOLUME

                                                Volume     Growth Rate
Category                                     (in billions)  (vs. 2003)
--------                                     ------------- -----------
Bill Payment                                    $69.9         24.7%
Business-to-Business                            $43.6         23.9%
Government                                      $26.4         15.6%
Quick Service Restaurants                       $10.8         67.0%
Small Tickets                                   $ 6.5         25.3%
Charitable/Social Service Organizations         $ 2.2         28.6%
                  Source: VISA USA