What's happened
Tesco plans to extend its Clubcard loyalty program to under-18s this year, following support from campaigners and regulatory guidance. Meanwhile, a recent survey by Which? ranks supermarkets on customer satisfaction, highlighting M&S as the top retailer, with Aldi leading on value for money. Tesco and others face ongoing challenges around pricing and customer experience.
What's behind the headline?
The expansion of Tesco's Clubcard to under-18s signals a strategic shift to capture younger consumers early, potentially fostering long-term loyalty. This move, supported by regulators and campaigners, aims to broaden access without breaching consumer law. The Which? survey underscores the importance of balancing quality, service, and value; M&S remains the leader in customer satisfaction, but its high prices limit regular shopping. Tesco's strong performance across categories shows resilience, yet its loyalty scheme still excludes some customers, highlighting ongoing challenges in inclusivity. Aldi's leadership on price and value positions it as a preferred choice for cost-conscious shoppers, especially amid economic pressures. The rankings reveal a competitive landscape where customer experience and affordability are decisive, with traditional giants like Asda and Morrisons struggling with service and stock issues. Overall, supermarkets will need to innovate further to meet evolving consumer expectations and maintain loyalty in a cost-sensitive environment.
What the papers say
The Independent reports Tesco's plans to extend its Clubcard to under-18s, with a spokesperson noting active review and regulatory guidance. Sky News highlights the recent Which? survey, ranking supermarkets on customer satisfaction, with M&S leading at 78%, and Aldi excelling in value for money. The Independent also details M&S's top ranking, emphasizing its quality and service, but notes its higher prices limit regular shopping. The survey results reflect a shifting consumer landscape where affordability and experience are critical, and supermarkets like Aldi and Tesco are adapting to these demands. Contrasting opinions from the sources show Tesco's strategic move to widen access versus the ongoing challenge of balancing quality, price, and loyalty benefits across the sector.
How we got here
Supermarket loyalty schemes are a key tool for customer retention and data collection. Tesco's move to include under-18s aligns with broader industry trends to widen access and boost engagement. Meanwhile, consumer surveys by Which? assess supermarket performance across various criteria, influencing public perception and competitive positioning.
Go deeper
More on these topics
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Tesco plc, trading as Tesco, is a British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer with headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom.
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Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc, trading as Morrisons, is the fourth largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom, and is headquartered in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England.
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Asda Stores Ltd. trading as Asda, is a British supermarket retailer, headquartered in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The company was founded in 1949 when the supermarket owning Asquith family merged with the Associated Dairies company of Yorkshire.
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Aldi is the common brand of two German family-owned discount supermarket chains with over 10,000 stores in 20 countries, and an estimated combined turnover of more than €50 billion.