OREANDA-NEWS. GE Capital Retail Bank and Ritani, a leading designer of engagement rings and fine jewelry, today announced a multi-year agreement to provide a branded private label credit card program for jewelry customers. GE Capital’s Retail Finance business, the operating entity that provides financial solutions to retailers and dealers to help grow their customer sales, will manage the relationship and service the account.

The Ritani Credit Card is available for purchases on Ritani.com, participating Ritani Free In-Store Preview Jewelers, and via its telephone call center. An online application will be available at Ritani.com, providing cardholders with extended terms and special financing promotions* on purchases. Ritani cardholders can also access and manage their account with a suite of digital tools, including the online Consumer Center and mService, a mobile servicing platform available on iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows devices.

“Purchasing an engagement ring or other fine jewelry is a significant occasion in one’s life,” said Brian Watkins, president of Ritani. “We are committed to making the experience a positive one, and GE Capital’s vast expertise, digital capabilities and special financing programs strongly support our growth strategy and the needs of our retailers and customers.”

Financing plays an important role for jewelry shoppers, according to the second annual Major Purchase Shopper Study** commissioned by GE Capital’s Retail Finance business. More than 80 percent of fine jewelry shoppers begin their research online, reviewing product styles as well as promotions and payment options; and spend 72 days (up 32 days from 2012) on average, considering a jewelry purchase. The findings confirm that 63 percent of all jewelry shoppers determine how they will pay for their purchase before they visit a store, and that the availability of financing drove their choice of retailer for 43 percent of all jewelry shoppers surveyed.

“Ritani is an industry leader, marrying the online and offline shopping experience,” said Regina Leadem, vice president of Sales for the Jewelry and Luxury segment of GE Capital’s Retail Finance business. “We are delighted to work with Ritani and provide convenient payment options that enable their customers to design and select the jewelry of their dreams.”

For 80 years, GE Capital has provided billions of dollars in consumer financing through major retailers and more than 200,000 small- and mid-sized businesses throughout the United States. GE Capital is a leading provider of consumer credit in the Luxury industry for more than 30 years. The company helps merchants build their businesses through consumer financing programs that drive business growth and customer satisfaction, and supports its clients with proprietary online technology, comprehensive training, and retail insights and analytics.

*subject to approval and availability.

**The 2013 Annual Major Purchase Shopper Study surveyed more than 3,200 shoppers nationwide, comprised of nearly 2,220 GE Capital Retail Bank (GECRB) accountholders and 1,001 random shoppers who recently made a major purchase of USD 500 or more in 12 segments, including fine jewelry.