The SUPERMARKET giant has slashed rewards as part of a new shake-up affecting thousands of loyal customers.
The Co-op is ditching its points scheme in a major turnaround to its membership club – sparking outrage among loyal shoppers.
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The Co-op is cutting back on the points-based part of its membership scheme in favor of member pricesCredit: Getty
Members received an email today saying they will no longer be rewarded with 2p for every £1 spent on retailers’ own brand goods.
It said: “With changes to our membership benefits, we’re bringing you back your current value.
“From January 24, you will no longer receive rewards for purchasing Co-op products and services.
“Instead, as a valued member, you’ll always save more with exclusive member prices on food, insurance, funeral services and legal services, saving you on the things you need.”
It added that from January 24 customers will no longer earn 2p for every £1 spent on Co-op products and services.
Those who have money in the program will have until the end of this year to spend it.
Co-op members protested the change, with one saying on Xu, formerly known as Twitter: “So @coopuk has changed their membership rewards.
“I rarely shop there anymore, but when I do, I get points that I can spend on what I buy there. Now I won’t. Instead, I get deals on things I’ll never buy there.
“And they claim to be returning “value to members”. Epic fail.”
Another added: “It’s annoying because I usually keep enough for emergency purchases on my membership card so it’s pointless?”
A third said: “This looks like you’re removing the financial benefit of the purchase, labeled as an ‘enhancement’?”
“I hope I read it wrong?”
While another customer pleaded: “Please don’t switch from points scheme to members only pricing.
“Member prices often appear to be the same prices before temporary inflation.
“This works against consumers when we are struggling with the cost of living; your local shops are often used by the old/infirm.”
Others feared that member-specific pricing was just a way to learn more about people’s buying habits and take advantage of them.
Co-op membership costs £1 and you get customized offers each week based on what you normally buy.
Currently, if a member spends £20 on Co-op own brand products, they will get 40p back on their in-store spending card, but this will end later this month.
The Co-op said in a statement: “We know that times are tough for our owner members and communities right now, which is why we’ve been listening and making some changes to bring more value back to them while continuing to support local communities.
“From January 24, instead of earning rewards for buying Co-op brands, members will now benefit from a significantly increased number of member prices and offers across all our businesses.”
How does the Co-op scheme work?
Co-op membership currently allows customers to earn 2p for every £1 spent on own brand products.
Earned coins are stored in the member’s digital wallet and the digital balance is added to your spending.
You can then spend the rewards you earn on most products in the store.
But this membership benefit ends for good on January 24 and the Co-op will focus solely on rewarding members with exclusive prices.
Currently, customers also have access to personalized offers every week.
Customers also get access to new discounted member prices.
In April last year, the cooperative presented its new offer “Prices for members”.
The lower prices can save the average member up to £300 a year on their grocery bill, the supermarket says.
But those who are not members of the program will not benefit from the lower costs.
It was launched just days after The Sun revealed Sainsbury’s was introducing lower prices for Nectar card members to compete with Tesco’s Clubcard prices.
Those wishing to apply for the scheme can do so on the Co-op website.
You will be charged a one-off fee of £1 to join the scheme.
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