Off we go on our journey to bring a great Tesco Clubcard experience directly to your mobile phone!
Clubcard is Tesco’s way of saying thank you for shopping with us - it’s easy - simply scan your Clubcard every time you shop. For every £1 you spend on qualifying products at Tesco, whether in-store or online, we’ll reward you 2 Clubcard points.
However if you’re like me, sometimes your Tesco Clubcard sometimes doesn’t quite make it to your wallet, or it’s slipped down the bottom of your bag and you can’t find it. The good news is that my iPhone is always on me so wouldn’t it be a great idea if it could quickly display the barcode of my Clubcard when I’m next at the checkout? The first version of this application is quite simply to do that - bring a virtual version of your Clubcard to your iPhone or iPod Touch.
Start the application the first time, type in your Clubcard details, and from then on whenever you start the app, it quickly displays the barcode seen on your plastic card which can be scanned at our checkouts. No more worries about losing points.
That’s just the start of the journey - we intend to do lots more with this app in the future, such as display your points balance - we’re even looking at finding ways of bring e-vouchers straight to your Clubcard app so you can use them at the checkout directly from your phone.
The application was written by Ben Martin, a member of the 'Group Technology & Architecture' team (Tesco PLC's larger version of Tesco.com's R&D team!) and I think he's done a great job as well as being excited by what he can bring to the app in terms of new features as he continues work on this project with the Clubcard team.
Anticipating your questions:
So the application just displays the barcode? Can’t it do anything else?
Not in this very first version. The aim is that, because you love your iPhone you are more likely to have it on you when you approach the Tesco checkout, so it is simple to display the barcode and earn Clubcard points. Once you have this application on your iPhone we will be introducing more features to it over the coming weeks and months.
I notice that the account for this app is "Tesco PLC" and not "Tesco.com R&D Team". Do you have two accounts now?
Yes we do! Our work with Tesco Finder and Tesco Wine Finder has excited people all over Tesco, and a cross-functional team is being put together to create great applications for all kinds of Tesco "stuff" - indeed a complete mobile and device strategy that goes way beyond iPhone. We want to be able separate mainstream production applications from prototyping apps of the sort we have launched (and will launch) under the Tesco.com R&D Team banner, thus the launch of the Tesco PLC account. We'll use this difference across all 'app stores' and downloads for your phone or device, so you know what to expect.
The difference is that Tesco PLC apps are fully supported production-quality creations, and Tesco.com R&D Team apps are experimental prototypes that we bravely try out on you to see what you think, notwithstanding the fact that we intend these apps to have a nice long shelf life and we are happy to support them within the team.
The application is not accepting my Staff Privilege Clubcard number or Republic of Ireland Clubcard number. Why?
The number ranges are different for these Clubcards and we can’t verify them at the moment. We’ll bring you this feature very soon, though.
How do I find the Tesco Clubcard app?
Go to the App Store on iTunes or your iPhone and search 'Tesco" or "Tesco Clubcard". If iTunes is installed on the computer on which you are reading this entry, try this link:
Why not just take a photo of your clubcard? That would work on any camera phone, not just iPhone and also get round the Republic of Ireland problem?
ReplyDeletehi Nick, been following Ben's progress internally with this, very excited to see it live now :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the Android app! If you need dev testers, let me know at my Tesco email :)
Nice simple idea... I like it!
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteWell yes that might work if the images was as sparkling as the crisp barcode the app generates!
However you can imagine that soon you'll be able to do more such as check your clubcard balance.
The app is launched to 'get you started' - soon it will be more useful than a photo...!
Cheers
Nick
Hi Doug,
ReplyDeleteYes I haven't asked Ben for his permission to mention his full name yet (privacy and all that!) but I hope he won't mind giving me his permission using his full name in an update to this message - he's done a great job with the app but he must control his privacy!
Cheers
Nick
It's great that Tesco are at the forefront of technology and being innovative however it feels a bit 'off' that privilege card holders have been neglected...!
ReplyDeleteThis seems like it would be a very useful innovation (if you have an iPhone.) Are there also any plans to have an app for those of us with a Windows Mobile smartphone?
ReplyDeleteWill be great if you get this working for staff cards as they don't have barcodes on them - requiring a swipe each time.
ReplyDeleteWill this app (like the other Tesco apps) also be available in the US app store soon?
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog... and enjoy reading about how technology is empowering developments. I look forward to more and one day hope to work there.
ReplyDeleteNick - can you comment if there are any plans to add scanning a la Occital Red Laser to the iphone?
ReplyDeletei have the key ring clubcard so right now and I don’t see the must have it value.
ReplyDeleteUntil this app does something super cool like... I select through day week building up to my shop the products I want / normally get, then uses location services to tell the cloud what store I am at and then it’s ready for pickup (home shopping not practical for all) then I am going skip this app.
I am serious about the pack and pick-up id pay a fiver to not have to walk around your store.
Yes we will be using the Red Laser technology in the next version of Tesco Finder, arriving shortly.
ReplyDeleteCool idea Alex - actually something similar came up at the TJAM innovation event we held in London last August.
ReplyDeleteIt will require a lot of work to satisfy your request but it's on the list!
Both contactless payment with the tesco credit card and small transaction incentive mechanisms on the mobile await! :D
ReplyDeleteHi Nick,
ReplyDeleteI download the app yesterday and I have tried to use it today in the Tesco gas station, paying directly in the pump. And I have to say that it doesn´t work. I have try to scan the barcode directly in the pump and...no noooo. So I have lost the points for refill the deposit. I think that in the store is different because if it´s not working they can just write the number, but this option is not available at the pump.
Please Nick check what happen with the scanners of the pumps.
Bye Nick
great idea, is it possible to integrate this into the Tesco finder app so it's "all in one" ? Can't imagine it would be too hard to do and would certainly make it more convenient than having two apps
ReplyDeleteNick,
ReplyDeleteTotally understand Ben & privacy concerns etc.
I cant speak on behalf of Nick but @thelongmile I reckon these will stay seperate.
As Nick says, this is the first version so let's wait & see what comes soon (Esp re: Privilege cards)
Hi Nick, what kind of barcode reader have ? Laser or CCD ?
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteAgain this app doesn´t work. Yesterday I tried to use it in the self payment cashier machine and the laser doesn´t recognized the bar code. So again no points in my clubcard.
Please check that the app works before its launch to the market.
Thanks
have to request a new card??
ReplyDeleteI tried it today - it doesn't work when you try to scan it.
ReplyDeletePlease advise when a fix will be released.
@christian - i believe it says in the app it can only be used at checkouts where cashier is present.
ReplyDeleteI use the cardstar app to do the same thing only it stores all my cards. Why would I want an app that only works at one store?
ReplyDeleteHi Nick,
ReplyDeleteNice to see you are still rolling out the Tesco apps for iPhone. its pity you are still neglecting Republic of Ireland shoppers who put more that €3 billion through your tills every year.
It looks like I will have to take this up directly with Tesco's chief executive in Ireland Tony Keohane or maybe I'll just shop in Dunnes, SuperValu or Aldi.
Will there is window moblie version of this app?
ReplyDeleteWhy iphone get all the goodies, just unfair :(
Nick
ReplyDeleteThe iphone barcode is a great start but does it link to the pos systems to track my purchases so that you and your suppliers can send me relevant offers to my phone - avoiding all the paper, inconvenience (and cost)?
The technology for that exists.
Steve
Would be good to also have the app display the coupons as well as clubcard as an altnerative to hard copy in the post (nice green solution).
ReplyDeleteOf course using this app does involve handing your iphone to the cashier... not someting you'd necesasrily be comfortable doing!
ReplyDeleteTried to use the app twice at my local store in Crewe, once at the self service checkout in-store and once at the petrol station counter on both occasions it did not work! Good idea in theory but losing clubcard points has made me hit the delete button and rate 1 star :(
ReplyDeleteRichard
Yet again, another company assuming that everyone owns an iPhone.
ReplyDeleteWhen will companies release applications for other platforms (or even better, platform independent applications) rather than just pay their coders to pander to the Apple geeks?
*mumble*
Tried it today in an iPod Touch at the Ilkeston store, the cashier said that the card had been recognised but it didn't register the points. This was at the single basket till.
ReplyDeleteI sent an email to Tesco Customer Service on 21st Oct 2006 requesting if they would do this. I asked if it was possible to build a barcode generator on a phone so I wouldn't have to carry around so many cards. They responded on the 23rd October 2006 and said they would pass onto Tesco head office. I guess it's taken 3.5 years and it's finally here!
ReplyDeleteSome feed back on your iPhone apps
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of the Tesco finder, where you can create shopping lists and it lets your know where on the shelf's the items are stored but a few additions
Use phone camera the scan bar code on receipt to automatically generate a list of common items or maybe just link it to your club card so a common items list can automatically be created.
Merge the club card app with it.
I don't want to receive coupons with my club-card vouchers and other offers in the post (not environmentally friendly), it would be great if the app revived these electorally with a push notification) then your 1.50 voucher of 20 off fruit when you spend a pound would be stored on the iPhone and could be scanned at the checkout in the same way as the club-card app.
Any vouchers that don't interest you could be deleted.
like the idea but it does raise the simple question : why not just give the discount at point of sale and be done with it
ReplyDeleteTried v1 in a tesco extra self serve and worked a treat. Tried it in my new 2 week old metro store - doesn't work at tills or self serve :-(
ReplyDeleteCan a new store have old tills?
ADMIN, please can you advise if there is or is going to be a windows mobile version of this software. so many companys are ignoring the better operating system due to the stupid hype iphone has. if anyone has information on a wm version please email me at stevesonline8@hotmail.com cheers, steve.
ReplyDeleteNick please can you get the vouchers to work forget the club cards ... this last lot have been a nightmare taking 25p off instead of adding 25points on and we the checkout staff have to put up with the abuse from the customers 100 times a day.
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea. Please release one for the HTC HD2 running Windows Mobile 6.5
ReplyDeletetesco clubcard is the worst loyalty program compare to others. Hate the way that they force you to use your point by print you a voucher everytime you receive mail from them. And if you don't use the voucher within certain time period, you lose your voucher and the points. I don't see any point of creating the clubcard apps for mobilephone at all. But still wanna say you guys done a good job as you are the first ppl had that idea. Ta
ReplyDeleteOk, so I now a brand spankin new Android phone, I know its been asked before but I'll ask again...will you be releasing this App for Android?
ReplyDeleteCant Wait
has anyone actually made this app work in a store? seems useless to me and the staff looked at me lie I was mad and told me to print out a copy! that defeats the point!
ReplyDeleteIs there any news on making an android app that does the same thing? A lot of people have Android phones in the UK and this would be great. I've looked in to using a third party app, but it didn't look secure and connects to the nternet etc - an app "straight fromt he horse's mouth" would be wonderful, and I for one would use it.
ReplyDeleteHi, when we will have tesco clubcard for android???
ReplyDeleteI have seen this question asked quite a few times, but no answer as yet, so here goes. I don't own an iphone (nor do I want to) but I do own a galaxy S and I want the tesco clubcard app, when is it going to be available for android phones.
ReplyDeleteMy friend has the clubcard on her iphone, and when she goes tesco I go with her, cause her app hardly ever works so I get the points as I have my club card always on me lol, so don't fix the app on the iphone I will miss out on my points lol
When are we going to get the app for the far superior Android system?
ReplyDeleteWhat do we want? Android App! When do we want it? Now!!
ReplyDeleteAlso waiting for this on Adroid ! any chance of an answer if its being released at all and if so are there any dates?
ReplyDeleteif i may offer a solution to non apple users u need to creatye a code-128 bar code with th following
ReplyDelete979 plus the last 13 numbers from your clubcard number so if your card is 634001234567890123 the code-128 number should be 9791234567890123
to the note regarding getting it to work instore you need to use it at a standard store or an extra and not at self service tills
Hi, Looking for a few testers for an android app. Its unofficial but does the same as the iphone app. Contact "ccdroid [at] matt [dot] tk"
ReplyDeleteAndroid please. Android outsells iPhone. Please keep up.
ReplyDeleteIt does make me chuckle how on the Iphone App site everyone is asking for android.... maybe the hint should be taken and one made... wish I code code properly, can only do basic and don't know enough to make this sort of app1
ReplyDeleteAndroid app please.
ReplyDeleteAndroid request again, pleeeeeeeease?
ReplyDeletewindows mobile version of the app?
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for android here too!
ReplyDeleteANDROID APP PLEASE
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for an Android version, preferably a working one please! :-)
ReplyDeleteHiya,
ReplyDeleteWhen will the app work with my Clubcard Plus account?
ANDROID!!
ReplyDeleteWhy no replies since 9 feb? i hope youve been busy making the app for the most popular smartphone OS!
Just make it available for the biggest selling phones. If its the fragmentation thats the problem.
Great iPhone apps but.. Can it be combined in to one app instead of 2 apps? It would be more convenient.
ReplyDeleteI spent hours today calling various Tesco departments and finally found out why this (and other) apps almost never work!
ReplyDeleteThe answer is you must ask the assistant to use the handheld scanner. It's a separate scanner normally used for bulky items and most manned tills have one.
The main embedded scanner will never work! They used to store the handheld one on the side where customers could access it without asking, but a few months ago they all got hidden away for some reason!
Downloaded the app for android but need the staff privilege card version. Any joy yet?
ReplyDeleteYet another request for an Android version of the official app, and the other Tesco apps. In the 4th quarter of 2010 Android was the operating system of choice for nearly 1/3 of all smartphones, just beating Nokia (mainly Symbian) in to 2nd place with the last 3rd split fairly closely between iOS (Apple) and RIM (see link below).
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tomsguide.com/us/android-iphone-wp7-blackberry-symbian,news-9932.html.
Droid please! It has the largest share of the smartphone market in the UK and globally with a third of all smartphones being Android! That's more than double the iPhone market! Android came out years before OSX phones as well?! What's going on?! This defies logic!
ReplyDeleteAndroid App request too. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI have a HTC desire and have used the bar code three or four times fine. Just like to know why the app cannot show my points. If it does not work why not remove it from the app. Thanks
ReplyDeleteAndroid app please
ReplyDeleteHi Nick
ReplyDeleteI loved this app when I first downloaded it but now it doesn't work for me. What can I do to get the barcode to scan. It doesen't scan on the self serve tills which I use a lot, and recently was told in my local Tesco metro -"that doesn't work on our scanners". I have turned the grightness up to full and this made no difference. Shame because I love the idea.
I cant find tesco clubcard app in my appstore :s weird.. it says 'No matches' when i search it. Help?
ReplyDeleteany reason there is no official Android way of showing my clubcard? I know I am not the only person who could no longer live with an iPhone that doesn't actually work as a phone
ReplyDeleteSoo ummm....android massively out-numbers iPhone.
ReplyDeleteWhen does android get the app?
Still no Windows App after 3 years!! I switched to Sainsburys
ReplyDeleteNearly 4 years of having the Tesco Clubcard app on an iPhone (4S and 5) and Tesco scanners and barcode readers still cannot read it. The black hand held scanners sometimes work but the stores I have visited (in several counties) are mostly grey! Some petrol stations scanners work, some don't. What is the point?
ReplyDeleteI think this application is not available in Androids. iphone app development more advanced as compare to androids and windows.
ReplyDelete