Ukash, the world's largest prepaid cash-issuing estate, is now available at more than 600 physical locations across Norway after the alternative payment provider signed a deal to partner with Convenient Card AB, marking Ukash's first move into physical issuing in the Norwegian market.
Online issuing was launched in December 2009.
The deal, which makes Ukash available in physical stores in its second Scandinavian country after its successful launch in Sweden in December 2007, means that consumers can now get Ukash vouchers from 200 "7Eleven" stores and 426 "Narvesen" stores.
These outlets, which form a significant part of a well-known branded network in Norway, offer consumers Ukash vouchers in denominations of NOK 100, 250 and 500. Vouchers are issued with a unique 19 digit Ukash PIN and can be spent instantly at thousands of online stores. Ukash's solution, which allows consumers to shop online using cash, is particularly popular with the unbanked and those who have continued fears regarding online security.
Ukash's international expansion has been significant over the last 12 months and its launch in Norway now means that Ukash is available at more than 320,000 physical issuing points and online in 22 countries worldwide. Ukash has targeted Scandinavia as one of its key growth markets and expects to continue its expansion there in the coming months.
Commenting, Mark Chirnside, Chief Executive Officer, Ukash, said: "We are delighted to be 'live' in Norway and we are confident that this market will be successful for Ukash. Our operations in Sweden have gone from strength to strength since we launched in December and we expect to see similar levels of activity in Norway. This move is part of our overall strategic expansion, which we hope will ultimately help to realise our goal of making online shopping available to everybody, anywhere in the world."