TESCO shoppers were stunned to learn a major service is set to be axed at 40 UK stores.
The supermarket giant has announced a huge shake-up in a bid to cut down on queue times.
However, the move has been met with fierce criticism from some customers who dubbed it a “mad decision”, as reported by the Telegraph.
It comes after Tesco revealed they would be going cashless at their cafes within 40 UK sites.
Shoppers will also have to order their food and drinks on a digital self-service screen.
But, Martin Quinn, of Campaign for Cash told the Tele: “Many of the customers will be elderly or retirees who want to order in person, not press a computer screen. This is a mad decision.”
And, Sarah Gayton, of the National Federation of the Blind of the UK charity, added: “It’s absolutely bonkers and a totally backwards step.”
Cafe sites in Oldham, Sheerness, Newmarket, and Ashford have so far welcomed the change to their stores.
Fuming customers have expressed their anger on social media since the roll out.
One penned on X: “Even if you “don’t mind” cashless, stop being so smug and inconsiderate and think about the elderly, disabled and those on lower incomes who budget better with cash. Then you are being kind and “inclusive”!”
“They’ve lost my custom in the cafe then,” wrote another disappointed user.
A third agreed: “Won’t be visiting any of them. Hope they put up a notice to warn potential customers,saves walking in the door.”
Someone else explained: “I took my friend who sadly has dementia shopping, something she enjoys on a “good day”. She insisted she wanted to buy me lunch and so we went to the cafe counter only to be told to order and pay at the machine. We walked to the machine and she started crying.”
A Tesco spokesperson told The Sun the move has been implemented to offer a better experience for customers.
They said it has so far garnered a lot of positive feedback from shoppers.
Card-only payments aim to help reduce queue times and there will always be a staff member on hand to help, added the spokesperson.
It comes as Aldi also confirmed has axed a key service from over 170 stores.
The German discounter is no longer offering click and collect at 174 stores.
The £4.99 service lets customers browse grocery items like canned goods and fresh produce online and then choose a slot to pick up them up from the nearest branch.
Customers can also sit and wait in their vehicle in the car park and have a member of staff bring their shopping out to them.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “At Aldi, our focus is on providing customers with high-quality products at the lowest possible prices.
“One of the ways we keep our prices low for customers is by running the most efficient supermarket business in Britain.
“As a result, we’ve made the decision to bring our Click and Collect service to an end so we can focus on doing just that.”
What can I get with Tesco Clubcard?
TESCO’S Clubcard scheme allows shoppers to earn points as they shop.
These points can then be turned into vouchers for money off food at the supermarket, or discounts at other places like restaurants and days out.
Each time you spend £1 in-store and online, you get one point when you scan your Clubcard.
Drivers using the loyalty card get one point for every two litres spent on fuel.
One point equals 1p, so 150 points gets you a £1.50 money-off voucher, for example.
You can double their worth when you swap them for discounts with “reward partners”.
For example, £12 worth of vouchers can be swapped for a £24 three-month subscription to Disney+.
Or you can swap 50p worth of points for £1 to spend at Hungry Horse pubs.
Where you can spend them changes regularly, and you can check on the Tesco website what’s available now.
Tesco shoppers can also get Clubcard prices when they have the loyalty card.
The discounted items change regularly and without a Clubcard you’ll pay a higher price.
These Clubcard prices are usually labelled on shelves, along with the non-member price.
But it’s worth noting that just because it’s discounted doesn’t necessarily make it the cheapest around, and you should compare prices to find the best deal.
You can sign up to get a Tesco Clubcard in store or online via the Tesco website.