WILMINGTON, DE — Barclays US Consumer Bank has renewed its exclusive co-branded credit card partnership with Barnes & Noble, extending a nearly two-decade relationship that supports customer loyalty and rewards programs for the nation’s largest bookstore chain.
The long-term agreement preserves Barclays’ position as the exclusive issuer of the Barnes & Noble Mastercard and continues a partnership that began in 2006, the companies announced.
The renewal comes as retailers increasingly rely on loyalty programs and co-branded financial products to strengthen customer engagement and drive repeat spending across both physical and online channels.
Barnes & Noble Chief Executive Officer James Daunt described the credit card program as an enduring component of the retailer’s customer offering.
“The Barnes & Noble Mastercard, exclusively issued by Barclays, has proved its enduring popularity with our bookstore customers,” Daunt said.
The card provides rewards tied to Barnes & Noble and Paper Source purchases, along with dining rewards and membership-related incentives. New cardholders may qualify for gift card rewards and promotional Premium Membership benefits, while existing cardholders can earn membership perks through annual spending thresholds.
Doug Villone, head of cards and partnerships at Barclays US Consumer Bank, noted that the companies have worked together for nearly 20 years to build a rewards program tailored to Barnes & Noble customers.
“Barnes & Noble is an iconic American brand with a deeply loyal customer base, and we are proud to extend one of Barclays’ longest-standing co-branded partnerships,” Villone said.
The relationship was most recently renewed in 2022. Financial terms of the new agreement were not disclosed.
Co-branded credit card programs have become an increasingly important component of retail customer retention strategies, providing merchants with recurring engagement opportunities while generating fee and lending revenue for issuing banks.
The renewed agreement ensures the continuation of the Barnes & Noble Mastercard program across the retailer’s stores and e-commerce platform at bn.com.
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