from DSSResources.comSeasonal Wrap-up: MasterCard sees 17.9% growth in transaction volume over its network for 2004 Holiday SeasonST. LOUIS, Dec. 27, 2004 -- MasterCard International saw a 17.9% increase in transaction volume for the 2004 holiday season, and processed more holiday transactions than any time in its history, with 914.1 million authorization transactions moving over its Banknet global telecommunications network from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. This compares with 774.9 million total authorizations through Christmas Eve in the 2003 holiday season. MasterCard processed $60 billion in card transactions over its network, a 12.9% increase over 2003. "MasterCard's processing numbers appear to be outpacing the reports of holiday spending by many retailers. We believe consumers are shifting their preferences from cash and checks to our payment cards, especially in the holiday season," said Michael Manchisi, senior vice president, MasterCard Computer and Network Services. "We are pleased that our network has performed flawlessly over this very busy holiday season, so that people can buy the gifts they want for the people who matter in their lives," he added. MasterCard saw a steady increase in card usage as the holiday season progressed through December. Rather than being the busiest day of the season, Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) was actually the 6th busiest day of the holiday shopping season for MasterCard. MasterCard processed the most authorizations over its network on Thursday, December 23, with 36.9 million transactions moving across its network. The quietest shopping day was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as it appears that consumers stayed home to enjoy family that day. The procrastinators shopping on Christmas Eve weren't alone, as MasterCard handled 30 million authorizations, compared to 28.8 million in 2003.
2004 MasterCard
Seasonal ScoreCard 2004 % 2003
change
Total season transaction
volume 914.1 MM 17.9% 774.9 MM
Total season transaction
dollars $60 billion 12.9% $53.1 billion
Busiest Day Dec. 23 ---------- Dec. 23
Busiest Hour 2 p.m. Dec. 23 ---------- 2 p.m. Dec. 23
Procrastinators' Day
(Dec. 24) volume 30 MM 4% 28.8 MM
Day with fewest
transactions Sunday after ---------- Sunday after
Thanksgiving Thanksgiving
Black Friday (day after
Thanksgiving) volume 35.1 MM 10.1% 31.8 MM
Number of shopping days 29 ---------- 27
Average transactions/day 31.5 MM 9.8% 28.7 MM
Editor's note: The data included in this announcement is drawn directly from Banknet, MasterCard's global telecommunications network. It differs from data released by MasterCard Advisors under the name SpendingPulse. SpendingPulse is a data service, provided by MasterCard Advisors, the global professional services organization of MasterCard International. SpendingPulse provides a measure of aggregate retail and food services sales (excluding automotive and gasoline sales). The data is based on aggregated network activity and MasterCard-specific variables are extracted, so SpendingPulse provides a reflection of national retail sales rather than MasterCard corporate performance. About MasterCard International MasterCard International is a leading global payments solutions company that provides a broad variety of innovative services in support of our global members' credit, deposit access, electronic cash, business-to-business and related payment programs. MasterCard International manages a family of well-known, widely accepted payment cards brands including MasterCard(R), Maestro(R) and Cirrus(R) and serves financial institutions, consumers and businesses in over 210 countries and territories. The MasterCard award-winning Priceless(R) advertising campaign is now seen in 97 countries and in 47 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. For more information go to http://www.mastercardinternational.com . SOURCE MasterCard International Web Site: http://www.mastercardinternational.com Linda Locke 636-722-7782 linda_locke@mastercard.com |