Shoppers are being warned that some major new changes to the Tesco Clubcard scheme are officially taking effect from today.
Loyalty schemes are pretty much commonplace in UK supermarkets nowadays, with the Tesco Clubcard being by far one of the most popular – but today, after weeks of reminders, the supermarket has introduced a significant new change that’s set to affect the more than 20 million people signed-up nationwide.
The supermarket chain already closed its separate Tesco Pay+ app on Monday 27 February, but from today (18 April), shoppers will no longer be able to use their Clubcard app and will need to download the new ‘Tesco Grocery and Clubcard’ app to continue earning points.
So how does it work then? And what exactly is changing?
Well, the new app is essentially replacing the two older apps, and looks set to combine the features of both into one place to make it easier for shoppers to use.
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Major new changes to Tesco Clubcards take effect from today / Credit: Ben Stevens / Parsons Media (via Tesco plc)
Appearing to work in relatively the same way as the old Clubcard app, the new ‘Tesco Grocery and Clubcard’ allows shoppers to pay, view their points balance, spend Clubcard vouchers, order deliveries and check stock in stores all in one, according to Tesco.
Customers can also use their physical Clubcard to earn points.
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A Tesco spokesperson told consumer group Which? that the new app will be “the easiest way” to get the most out of what Clubcard has to offer.
“With the combined power of Clubcard Prices, coupons, vouchers, alongside our reward partner codes, Clubcard is the best way to get value at Tesco, and our Grocery and Clubcard app is the easiest way to make the most of all your Clubcard has to offer,” the spokesperson explained.
They also crucially added that shoppers won’t lose any points, vouchers, or coupons during the switchover, as these will still be available in the new app or via your online account.
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Shoppers will no longer be able to use their Clubcard app and will need to download a new one / Credit: Tesco plc
This isn’t the only Clubcard change Tesco shoppers need to be aware of in the coming months either.
The supermarket has already announced that, from 14 June, it will reduce the value of Clubcard vouchers – which customers can currently exchange and triple their value to save more, or use with rewards partners such as Zizzi and Pizza Express.
But when the new change comes into force, customers only can double the value when they redeem at any of Tesco’s 100 rewards partners.
There’s a viral shop in Manchester where people queue for hours to get their hands on viral toys, and it’s now making its way to the Trafford Centre.
After already taking Manchester by storm when it initially opened back in March this year, viral toy shop Pop Mart now has its sights set on another new spot in one of the North West’s most iconic and popular shopping malls.
Known for stocking all the latest viral collectable crazes, Pop Mart is set to open its second Manchester site at none other than the Trafford Centre (TC) and will definitely bring in the same queues as its Market Street predecessor.
The Chinese toy and collectable shop has become in high demand for stocking just one certain toy character: Labubu
This cheeky toy character is quite a marmite topic for some, with many finding the plush toys to be cute and cuddly, while others deem Labubu ‘monsters’ to be a bit creepy and off-putting.
Are we pulling from an internal office debate? Maybe…
Regardless, Labubu are widely recognisable around the world, famed for their bunny-like ears and big, wide eyes; soft, shiny fur and, most notably, a large smile with their teeth on display.
It seems everyone is after one of these Labubu character toys, with Mancs making their commute to work through the city centre, startled by the sheer length of the queues at Pop Mart.
There’s a huge amount of Labubu characters to collect.Labubu has blown up online and will now be stocked across two Pop Mart locations across Greater Manchester.Credit: Pop Mart
One social media user even commented, “I went past on the tram at 7.30 this morning and there were half a dozen people in the queue already!”
Trends may come and go, but it seems this latest viral craze is here to stay as it’s now having a second resurgence thanks to lots of celebrity endorsements, including Love Island star Olivia Attwood.
We’re sure the Trafford Centre venue will be just as healthily stocked.
At present, there’s no official opening date for Pop Mart’s Trafford Centre store besides the ‘Coming Soon’ signage outside the shop front, but we’re sure it won’t be too long before you can get your next Labubu fix – we wouldn’t be surprised to see even more Greater Manchester locations follow.
Just to pre-empt any Manchester United fans fearing they’re still in total delirium the next time they see that iconic red shirt, we can confirm it isn’t just your rose-tinted glasses deceiving you – the club will be wearing a special one-off shirt with a notable difference very soon.
All eyes may now be on Wednesday, 21 May but this limited edition kit has already caught the eye of many supporters for one very obvious reason.
In case you haven’t seen it for yourselves already, Man United have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s squads will be will be wearing a slight variation on their home shirt for their next two matches as part of a special campaign for an important charitable cause.
Joining forces with their usual primary shirt sponsors Snapdragon and global health campaigners Product RED, this one-off alternative strip will be unveiled on the pitch this week.
Product Red, or simply (RED) as it will read on the jersey itself, is a worldwide charity that’s been working to fight global health crises since 2006.
(RED)’s key aim is to end the AIDS epidemic and related injustices by raising money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
The organisation officially partnered with the club and Snapdragon back in January in an effort to help drive awareness and generate further backing for their work – it just so happens that teaming up with one the planet’s biggest brands and one synomyous with that colour made for the perfect collaboration.
With that in mind, putting together a one-off Man United kit with (RED) slap bang in the middle as is close to a commercial/charitable tap-in as you’re probably ever going to get.
Set to be debuted by Manchester United Women in their WSL fixutre against Arsenal this Saturday, 10 May and then again by Ruben Amorim’s side in the Premier League the following day (Sun, 11 May); plus, a select few limited edition replicas shirts will be made available for fans to purchase.
Be first in the know, Reds 👀
Get notified when our limited-edition @RED collection drops ⤵️#MUFC || @Snapdragon
It goes without saying that given the nature of the front-of-shirt sponsor swap, these will no doubt become somewhat of a special item among kit collectors from the off.
More importantly, however, the funds raised through selling these one-off Man United shirts will provide much-needed income for the non-profit and their crucial efforts.
The unveiling of the comes not long after the bedlam that ensued inside Old Trafford during the second leg against Athletic Club, in which United booked their return trip back to Bilbao for the Europa League final, leaving plenty of fans of seeing nothing but the colour red ever since.
MUWFC also sealed their spot in the Women’s Champions League next season to with an important point in the Manchester Derby this past weekend, confirming a finish above Man City this year.
Safe to say it’s been a good few days to be a (RED).
Emily Sergeant -
18th April 2023 
