UK retailer Asda has blasted major rival Tesco after it today (18 January) announced a new coupon scheme.
Asda, the UK’s second biggest supermarket after Tesco, said its rival’s new scheme, that offers customers a GBP5 (US$7.60) voucher when they spend more than GBP40, was a copy of its own recent price promotion and a “short-term gimmick”.
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“While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Tesco’s attempt at imitation misses the point,” Asda said. “Our ‘£5 off £40’ at Christmas encouraged shoppers to go to our Price Guarantee website, where over 4m in December alone saw how much more expensive Tesco were, day-in, day-out.
“They came, they checked, they found out the truth, and they stayed. Vouchers that promise lower prices instead of delivering them are nothing more than a short-term gimmick.”
Tesco refused to comment on Asda’s allegation. A spokesperson said: “This initiative helps customers alongside our Big Price Drop [a major price promotion launched in September], allowing them to save even more money when they do their weekly shop at the nation’s favourite supermarket.”
Last week, after Tesco revealed another fall in UK sales and set out plans to try to revitalise its domestic business, CEO Philip Clarke said the retailer should have used coupons more during the Christmas period.
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By GlobalData“There was a lot of promotional couponing going on around Christmas and that’s probably, with hindsight, where we should have gone a bit harder,” Clarke said.
