Tesco is delivering £67m worth of customer loyalty rewards to its Clubcard holders ten weeks early in a bid to secure custom and boost consumer spending in the run-up to Christmas .
The supermarket giant announced yesterday it was sending out its February 2010 Clubcard statement ahead of schedule so shoppers can use the cash-equivalent vouchers for their Christmas shopping .
The Clubcard promotion marks the first time that Tesco has sent out loyalty points early. Vouchers are usually sent out four times a year – in February, May, August and November.
Richard Brasher, Tesco’s commercial director, said: “This seasonal surprise is to help customers at a time when we know they will appreciate it most.”
“We know that this year mums are taking tight control of family budgets and they are looking for treats, not extravagance.”
He added that shoppers can either use their vouchers for “Christmas extras” or keep hold of them until they receive their next statement, which will be in February as usual.
Tesco said the move had been made possible by its introduction of double points on its Clubcard loyalty scheme in August, which has led to holders using their cards more often and earning vouchers twice as fast as they did last year.
According to the retailer, some £529m in vouchers has now been returned to Clubcard customers this year.
Tesco has already moved to boost customer loyalty in the build-up to Christmas by slashing prices across its lines by £250m.