Asda has announced it will give shoppers who do certain jobs a discount on their grocery bill. The supermarket giant made the decision in light of the recent news that UK inflation now stands at at nine percent.
As of last night (Thursday, May 19), workers in the NHS, Emergency Services, Social Services, Social care sector and armed forces are, until further notice, all eligible for 10% off in all Asda stores across the UK when they present their Blue Light Card at the checkout. George clothing and homeware, toys, gifts and optical items are also included in the offer.
In a further move to support their colleagues, the supermarket has also removed the 12-week qualifying period for Colleague Discount in stores and online until October 2022, This means new recruits will be able save 10% on their shopping with the supermarket from their first day of employment, the Manchester Evening News reports.
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Asda recruits around 2,000 new starters each month and, with no cap on how much colleagues can spend using their discount card, the benefit is worth around £400 per year. The move also follows the supermarket's announcement that shop floor colleague pay would increase to £10.10per hour in July – in addition to an annual bonus opportunity.
"Family budgets are under huge pressure right now – with our Income Tracker showing household incomes down by £16 per week in March and set to fall further," said Hayley Tatum, Asda’s Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer. "Bringing back the Blue Light discount and removing the qualifying period for our own colleague discount are additional ways we can support our customers and colleagues, alongside our ongoing efforts to reduce prices and invest in our colleague pay."
Tom Dalby, CEO at Blue Light Card, added: "With the cost of living on the rise, I hope this exclusive 10% discount helps families and individuals across the UK on everything from the big food shop to new school clothes. Asda has always done so much to show its appreciation to NHS staff and other frontline workers, and this partnership will support millions of blue light workers in the country."
