Talk of deals is still premature

Following your recent news story, “Safeway plans Argos link” (MW October 18), which stated that, “supermarket chain Safeway is planning to link its ABC loyalty card with the Argos Premier Points loyalty scheme in a move that would leave rival Somerfield out in the cold”, I would like to strenuously deny that any activity of this sort is planned.

This information is wholly inaccurate and, taken in conjunction with the earlier article which appeared in Marketing Week a few weeks ago stating that BP would be issuing ABC collector card points, can only go to undermine Marketing Week’s integrity and credibility.

I do hope that it can be appreciated from our point of view that articles which are not only speculative, but inaccurate, cause both our clients and ourselves distress during what in effect are the very early stages of mutually beneficial relationships.

For the record I would like to state that Argos Premier Points are, and will continue to be, issued through the Somerfield chain and will form a major part of the newly merged Mobil/BP loyalty reward strategy.

We are quite happy to provide further information with relation to these programmes and I would sincerely suggest that in future your journalists take the time and trouble to not only contact our PR department, but also those of other companies quoted, and take careful note of all issued communiqués.

Philippe Gayton

General manager

Argos Business Solutions

Milton Keynes

Herts

The article accurately signals Safeway’s intention and is well sourced. Whether the deal goes through, time will tell – Editor