Asda has issued an update to its customers who have been confused over the status of its partnership with the Blue Light scheme, after rumours it would be ending at the end of the month.
The money-saving scheme offers discounts to those who are working in the emergency services and was introduced during the pandemic to help those who were struggling financially.
Many major retailers and supermarkets have signed up to the initiative and, for a fee of just £4.99, those who are eligible are able to get money off both online and in-stores at companies such as Domino's, Pizza Hut, Halfords and much more.
Asda began offering emergency service workers the Blue Light discount back in December last year, before extending it past its original end date of January 2, 2022, due to the current cost of living crisis. But shoppers have expressed confusion on social media after being told the discount service would no longer apply past October, reports YorkshireLive.
One person writing on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group claimed that she'd recently been given Halloween as an end date by an Asda employee at her local branch, which was greeted with several hundred responses. Indeed, such was the reaction that the site's moderator ended up turning off commenting on the post.
"Gutted, but let's be fair they've kept it going longer than the majority of other stores," replied one person. "I will miss it as every penny helps." Another pointed out that the decision had "nothing to do with Asda" and that it states in the Blue Light Card app's very own terms and conditions that the "offer may be withdrawn at any time."
Someone also commented that it could be "a case of different end dates at different stores" in the supermarket's chain, with one shopper from Derby claiming she'd heard that her nearby branch was continuing the scheme "until December."
A further reply then went on to suggest that "none of Asda's employees have been told that (the scheme) is ending, so whoever told you that has given you false information." A second person concurred with that, adding that deadline is "often renewed a few days before it runs out and the staff at Asda are usually the last to know."
As a result, WalesOnline approached Asda to see if it could shine a light on the confusion. A spokesperson for the supermarket said: "We can confirm that the partnership between Asda and Blue Light Card is in place until at least the end of the year."
And, in relation to the other businesses which currently offer discounts to card holders, a spokesperson for Blue Light Card itself added: "There are no plans for these to be changed and Blue Light Card will continue to partner with leading retailers and restaurants etc to offer our members exclusive discounts both online and on the high-street."
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