Tesco Boss Warns of Spike in Food Bank Use
As the cost of living continues to rise, Tesco boss Ken Murphy has issued a stark warning that food bank usage could soar. He urged Clubcard holders to use their soon-to-expire vouchers to “unlock all sorts of Bank Holiday fun” before the May 31 deadline.
Tesco’s Origins and Name
The Tesco brand has a rich history dating back to 1919 when Jack Cohen established a market stall in Hackney, east London. In 1924, Cohen launched the company’s first own-brand product, tea, supplied by Thomas Edward Stockwell. Cohen cleverly combined Stockwell’s initials with the first two letters of his own to create the iconic name ‘Tesco’.
Tesco’s Expansion and Growth
While Tesco had been operating as a market stall for several years, it wasn’t until 1929 that the first physical store opened in Burnt Oak, Edgware. Initially, the store sold only dry goods and tea, but by 1958, Tesco had expanded into a fully-fledged supermarket in Maldon, Essex.
Today, Tesco is a multinational supermarket chain with branches in five countries, including the UK, Ireland, Slovakia, Hungry, and the Czech Republic. In the UK alone, there are a staggering 2,985 branches, with London boasting the highest number of stores at 321.
Tesco Clubcard Vouchers
Tesco’s Clubcard loyalty program offers customers the opportunity to earn points on their purchases, which can be redeemed for vouchers. The retail giant stressed that nearly £17m worth of vouchers are set to expire on May 31. Customers are encouraged to use these vouchers towards their weekly grocery bill, fuel expenses, or double their value by exchanging them with Clubcard Reward Partners such as PizzaExpress, Hotels.com, and Alton Towers Resort.
Additionally, over £27m worth of vouchers already swapped for use at third-party retailers are also set to expire in the coming six weeks. This includes more than £16m worth of rewards for days out and dining experiences. Tesco urges customers to check their Clubcard accounts and use these vouchers before they become invalid.
