Retail Giants Fall out over Price of Loyalty; If a Supermarket Cut the Price of Biscuits from [Pounds Sterling]1 to 99p, It Would Not Raise a Murmur. Loyalty Card Discounts Are No Better Than This

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Byline: TEENA LYONS

SUPERMARKETS are locked in a war of words over loyalty cards amid accusations that they cost shoppers much more than they could ever save.

While Asda is scrapping plans to launch a card nationwide, claiming it is a waste of money, Tesco is expanding its scheme with a bas-ketload of new benefits from tomorrow.

Sainsbury, Boots and other chains are also expected to boost their card schemes in an attempt to keep customers in an increasingly competitive retail market.

The jostling for position comes as giant US cut-price retail chain Wal-Mart begins to reshape Asda, which it bought for [pounds sterling]6.7 billion.

Two …