LONDON — Tesco here, which plans to start opening Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market stores in western U.S. markets next month, “has no plans at present” to offer U.S. shoppers a loyalty card, according to Martin Hayward, director of consumer strategy, Dunnhumby, Tesco’s loyalty marketing partner that is owned by Tesco. Tesco’s highly successful loyalty marketing strategy, built around its Clubcard loyalty card, is widely credited for helping boost the chain into its market-leading position in the United Kingdom. The Clubcard is also used in Tesco’s other international markets. “My sense is that some point Tesco will use the card in the U.S.,” said Mike Griswold, research director, AMR Research, Boston. Hayward noted that the partnership between Dunnhumby’s U.S. division, Dunnhumby USA, and Kroger (which owns half of Dunnhumby USA) remains unchanged despite Tesco’s planned presence in markets served by Kroger. “It’s a very successful partnership,” he said. “Both sides are pleased with the results achieved.”
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