Tesco has rolled out a version of its Clubcard for 16 and 17-year-olds, granting younger customers access to the loyalty scheme's reduced prices for the first time. The UK's largest supermarket said the Clubcard for 16-17s will also enable members to accumulate points that can be exchanged for vouchers offering money off at the till.
Consumer Groups Hail Change After Years of Campaigning
Which? retail editor Reena Sewraz said the expansion could result in substantial savings for youngsters after the consumer group pushed for the change for several years. She 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."
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.
How the New Clubcard Works
The new digital Clubcard for 16-17s is only accessible via the Tesco app or website. To sign up, the teenager must receive an invitation from the Clubcard account of a parent or guardian. 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."
Wilson added: "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."
Potential Barriers for Some Young People
However, Sewraz noted that the requirement for a parent or guardian to unlock membership could be a barrier for some young people. "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," she said. "Our research shows that Clubcard prices aren't always the cheapest on the market, but they still offer substantial savings compared with standard prices."
How to Sign Up
Tesco says the simplest way to get hold of the Clubcard for 16-17s is for a parent or guardian to tap the identity icon in the top corner of their Tesco app, giving them access to their account settings. From there, they can hit the "invite to Clubcard" button and select the option to send a sign-up link directly to the teenager. The "invite to Clubcard" button will only appear for Clubcard members who have downloaded the most recent version of the app, so users should ensure they update if the option isn't displaying.
