Retailers that accept credit cards pay a "swipe fee" to credit-card issuers such as Visa and Mastercard ranging from 1 to 3 percent of the purchase.

The credit-card companies prohibited retailers from passing that fee on to consumers, but a recent lawsuit settlement proposal lifted that restriction.

Under the settlement, retailers can charge 2.5 to 3 percent on each transaction.

Discuss this issue and develop a report on the pros and cons of retailers adding a surcharge to credit purchases.