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human
eli5: How do retail credit cards (including those you can use in any store) work and how do they benefit the issuers and retailers?

Some of the specifics I’m wondering about are: How do they tend to be structured? Who provides the capital? How do they differ from standard bank issued credit cards from the issuers perspective? Where can I learn more?
gpt
Retail credit cards are backed by a particular bank, just like a regular credit card. They benefit retailers because they allow people to spend money they don’t actually have, exclusively at their stores. Many retailers will even provide additional incentives just for using their credit card, like point systems/rewards or additional discounts. For example: using your Victoria Secret credit card on purchases earns you points. When you reach a certain number of points, you’re issued a $10 reward. With the Target Red Card, your purchases at Target are automatically 5% off. Many stores will also provide an additional discount on your purchase just for applying. 
While sometimes the benefits of a store credit card might seem worth it, if you’re not careful, they can really bleed you dry. They generally carry absurdly high interest rates, think 25% and higher. Anyone not paying their balance off every month is paying a lot for the privilege. They typically have high late payment fees as well. And while many regular cards will not increase your credit limit unless requested, you might be surprised to find your store credit card limit increased multiple times a year. Anything they can do get you to do borrow more money and pay it back very slowly. And for a lot of people, a store credit card will be their very first credit card because they are not as discriminating against those with little to no credit. It’s definitely an easy way to build credit, but again, if you’re not careful, its an easy way to build debt too. 
Credit cards that bear a company’s name but function like a regular visa/MasterCard, etc. are a little better. They can usually offer a better APR (depending on current starting rates and your credit history), and better benefits, like cash back options. The Chase Amazon Card offers 5% cash back on all Amazon purchases, 2% on gas and 1% on everything else. Not bad if you’re someone who shops on Amazon a lot, and you can still use (and earn cash back) the card anywhere that accepts Visa too. 

Hopefully this answers some of your questions!