THIS WEEK: Tesco ads clash with Sainsbury loyalty launch

This week the retailer unveiled Clubcard Plus, a debit payment card and

an extension of its successful loyalty scheme.

The move will increase the pressure on Sainsbury’s, which is planning to

launch its answer to Clubcard - JS Rewards - on June 17.

The Tesco ad, which breaks through Lowe Howard-Spink on the same day,

will be the retailer’s first direct response ad. A Freefone number for

prospective customers will be shown at the end of the ad.

Tesco hopes that its competitive interest rates, easy access and novel

way of budgeting will lure customers away from the competition.

‘The main reason for us going into this is because the customer told us

they wanted it,’ said deputy managing director Terry Leahy.

Under the scheme, customers can set up a standing order to cover food

and petrol costs, and can obtain cash from NatWest tills and Tesco

stores.