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.
Aldi confirms ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its 1,000+ stores across UK
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has announced that it’ll, once again, be closing the doors of all of its stores across the UK for 62 hours this year.
Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, and Boxing Day has a reputation for being the ultimate day for shopping deals and discounts in the UK – but this year, just like it has done on several years in the past, Aldi has made the decision to close all of its stores nationwide on this bank holiday.
The supermarket retailer says it wants to thank its colleagues ‘for all their hard work’ throughout the year by giving them some extra time to spend with their families.
This means that all Aldi stores will be closed on both 25 and 26 December.
That’s not all though, as stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, and will reopen once again on Saturday 2 January 2027.
Aldi has announced a ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its UK stores / Credit: Aldi UK
Opening hours at different Aldi stores across the UK will vary in the lead-up to Christmas, so it’s important to check the times for your local store, but the retailer has confirmed that most branches will be operating extended hours to ‘ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day’
In the interim period between Christmas and New Year, stores will reopen as usual on Sunday 27 through to Wednesday 30 December, with reduced hours also likely on Sunday and New Year’s Eve.
Speaking on the decision to shut up shop for a full 62-hour period this festive season, Rachel Geary, who is the Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is a special time for our customers, but it is also one of the busiest periods of the year for our teams.
“Our colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure customers can pick up everything they need ahead of the big day.
“We never take that effort for granted. Closing our stores on Boxing Day is one way of saying thank you and giving colleagues a proper chance to rest, switch off and spend more time with the people closest to them.”
Featured Image – Aldi UK
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Celebrity-loved ‘facial fitness’ brand Facegym is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Facegym, the ‘facial fitness’ brand loved by celebrities, will be opening a brand-new studio in Manchester this month.
Promising ‘facial workouts’, Facegym uses high-intensity hand massage, deep-tissue manipulation, and skin-tightening electronic muscle stimulation to tone and lift the skin.
Facegym’s signature workouts are designed to be energetic, combining massage and movement with techniques intended to stimulate circulation, sculpt the face and leave you with that post-facial glow.
The Signature Sculpt workout, for example, includes a cleanse and warm-up, high-energy movements, sculpting and contouring using gua sha and muscle stimulation, before finishing with skincare and lymphatic drainage.
Basically, it’s a workout, but for your face.
Facegym will be opening its first ever standalone studio in Manchester on King Street this September.
It joins a raft of new openings on the street, including Reformation and American Vintage, with plenty more on the way soon.
The brand has already made a name for itself across London and internationally, with studios in cities including New York, Los Angeles and Sydney, as well as a presence inside Selfridges in Manchester.
Now, Manchester is getting its very own standalone studio on one of the city’s most recognisable shopping streets.
The new King Street studio will be led by franchise partners Minesh and Hoosein, who bring more than two decades of experience across franchising, finance, retail, telecoms and food and drink.
The pair say they were drawn to Facegym because of its innovative take on beauty and wellness, and see Manchester as the perfect city to introduce the concept to a new audience.
The new studio will officially open its doors on 9 September, bringing Facegym’s high-energy approach to facial fitness and wellness to the North West.
And if you want to get involved from day one, Facegym is currently offering a limited Founding Membership for its Manchester launch.
The first 99 members can get a membership for £62 per month, compared with the standard Manchester membership price of £77. The membership includes one workout each month, plus discounts on boosters, additional workouts, skincare and tools.
Emily Sergeant -
18th April 2023 
