HOW does the new Dunnes Value Club Card compare with the other most popular loyalty card, Superquinn's SuperClubcard? The major difference between the two is that the use of the new Value Card builds up points that are converted into cash vouchers, while SuperClub card points are redeemed in the form of catalogue gifts. Every £100 spent at Dunnes Stores now represents a redeemable cash voucher for £1; every £100 spent at a participating SuperClub retailer (and there are at least a dozen) accumulates the equivalent number of points, which can then be put towards the purchase of gifts or services listed in a catalogue.
One striking difference between the two clubs is how the points are allocated with Value Club you must spend £200 over the first quarter period (i.e. three months) of your membership to trigger the vouchers; Dunnes will then send you, by mail, the first voucher, worth £2. Every additional £100 spent will result in vouchers worth £1, but the shopper must accumulate at least 200 points each quarter to qualify for the vouchers. If the customer does not accumulate 200 points any points accumulated can be carried over into the next quarter.
Like Value Club, SuperClub points are accumulated mainly electronically (some participating retailers give out paper points), but there is no quarterly waiting period for delivery of points. However, most items - even the most inexpensive in the catalogue require several thousand points.
SuperClub points are accumulated for nearly every purchase you make in the grocery stores and other participating retailers (who include a popular travel agent, insurance broker, clothing and DIY stores, a petrol station, etc). Like Dunnes, Superquinn also lists a number of restricted items including instant formulaes, tobacco products and medicines. However, Dunnes is also not including purchases made in its restaurants, phone cards, vending machine products, gift vouchers, savings stamps and lottery tickets.
The appeal of these cards is that points can be accumulated very quickly between regular grocery and drabery shopping and once off purchases from other participating retailers. In the SuperClub case, bonus points can also be accumulated for buying certain foods (usually perishables like bread or end of line items) and these can sometimes amount to more than the total food purchase. (Bonus points allow even low spend customers like pensioners to accumulate sufficient points to make a catalogue purchase, say Superquinn staff.) It is expected that Dunnes will also offer some bonus point opportunities.
Dunnes with many more outlets in the Republic and Northern Ireland, than Superquinn, the Value Card will attract more members and the cash vouchers certainly represent real savings for loyal Dunnes customers anyone who spends £60 a week at Dunnes can expect cash vouchers worth £30 over the year which can be spent at any time. When clothes and other purchases are added, the annual sum will grow.
Value Club and SuperClub applications are available at any Dunnes Stores or Superquinn outlet.
