An expert has declared a ‘huge win’ for one group of shoppers in the wake of Tesco announcing a major change in Clubcard rules. The supermarket giant launched a version of its Clubcard for 16 and 17-year-olds earlier this week, giving younger customers access to the loyalty scheme’s lower prices for the first time. The UK’s biggest supermarket said the Clubcard for 16-17s will also allow members to collect points that can be converted into vouchers for money off at the checkout. It follows criticism
from consumer groups that younger customers have been excluded from cheaper grocery prices because of age restrictions to loyalty schemes. The new digital Clubcard for 16-17s is only available through the Tesco app or website. To join, the teenager must be invited from the Clubcard account of a parent or guardian. Which? retail editor Reena Sewraz said that it could lead to significant savings for youngsters after the consumer group campaigned for the change for a number of years. Reena said: “The expansion of Tesco
Clubcard is a huge win for young consumers – it’s something we’ve campaigned for in recent years as the cost-of-living crisis has left many households struggling with the cost of the weekly shop. “As the UK’s biggest retailer, Tesco is sending an important message about supporting young people who may be hit hard by cost-of-living pressures – and other supermarkets that still have restrictions should follow suit. “That said, the requirement for a parent or guardian to unlock membership for their 16 to 17-year-old could
be a barrier for young people who may be parents, carers, or guardians themselves. “Our research shows that Clubcard prices aren’t always the cheapest on the market, but they still offer substantial savings compared with standard prices.” More than 24 million UK households are signed up to Tesco Clubcard, which has been running for more than 30 years. A Clubcard is used in more than 80 per cent of sales at Tesco, according to the supermarket’s figures. Tesco Group membership and loyalty director Shama Wilson
said: “We are delighted to be giving younger customers access to Tesco Clubcard for the first time, and we have no doubt that it will prove popular with 16 and 17-year-olds, whether they are shopping in one of our ‘big Tesco’ or ‘little Tesco’ stores. “From today, our new Clubcard for 16-17s members will not only be able to get Clubcard prices in-store, including our iconic Tesco lunchtime meal deal for just £3.85, but also collect points that they can turn into vouchers for money
off their in-store shopping.” Tesco said the easiest way to access the Clubcard for 16-17s is for a parent or guardian to click on the identity icon in the top corner of their Tesco app, which allows them to access their account settings. From there they can click on the “invite to Clubcard” button and choose the option to send a sign-up link to the teenager. The “invite to Clubcard” button will only be visible to Clubcard members using the latest version of the app,
so users are advised to update the app if it is not showing.
Tesco, Clubcard, 16-17-year-olds, loyalty scheme, cost of living, vouchers, Tesco app, consumer groups
Good, finally. 16-17s shouldn’t get punished for existing lol.
Wait so they need a parent to “invite” you? That sounds kinda backwards if it’s meant to help with cost of living. Like what if you don’t have anyone to do that in the app?
I don’t get it, it says “lower prices” but also says Clubcard prices aren’t always the cheapest. So is it actually cheaper or just cheaper sometimes? Also digital only… my phone battery dies at the worst time.
Tesco doing this is nice but this invite thing is gonna exclude people too, especially if the parent doesn’t even have the app or forgets. And why is it only 16-17? My nephew is 15 and he’s paying full price at the same store anyway. Seems like a “huge win” headline but the fine print might still block a lot of kids.