The new rates are 0.2% on debit cards and 0.75% on credit cards.

In its communication to retailers, the group acknowledged the strong backlash after its initial fee announcement last month which proposed fees as high as 1.25% on business credit card transactions and 0.7% on Business Mastercard debit cards.

In a statement it said: “We have listened to your views and have taken the decision to absorb an even greater portion of the fees.”

The group had promised to review the charges following recent protests at its some of its depots.

The group also listed various alternative payment methods that do not incur fees. These include cash, personal cards, mobile app payment and bank transfers (via the Wallet).

While many independent retailers appear to have been united in their outrage, some suppliers and other wholesalers sympathised with the group as it faced a difficult choice between increasing prices for customers or raising charges on card users to cover the high transaction charges paid on certain card types.