MANCHESTER, 2014-11-6— /EPR Retail News/ — Young Scot, the national youth information and citizenship charity for Scotland, has today (Monday 3 November) agreed a major deal with The Co-operative Food to offer Young Scot NEC (National Entitlement Card) cardholders a 10% discount on their shopping*.
From today (Monday), Young Scot cardholders, aged 11 to 25, qualify for the discount when they shop at any of The Co-operative Group’s 400 stores across Scotland, from Shetland in the north to Annan in the south.
It is the first time Young Scot has partnered with a major food retailer to offer discounted shopping.The new initiative provides over 570,000 Young Scot cardholders with 10% off food, household products, newspapers and magazines, when they present a valid Young Scot card at any Co-op store.
Young Scot has conducted research which shows a fifth of young people highlight life expenses, such as food shopping, as a top priority.
John McNeill, Regional Stores Director for The Co-operative Food in Scotland, said:
“Young people are facing increasing financial pressures, and by working with Young Scot to develop this initiative we’ve found a way to help them make their money go further while being able to shop conveniently.
“We’re a community retailer, with Co-op Food stores across the length and breadth of Scotland, and by offering a discount to Scotland’s young people we’re giving them a great incentive to make good, healthy choices about the food they eat.”
Louise Macdonald, chief executive, Young Scot says:
“Our research shows that lunch items such as sandwiches and fruit are the most readily purchased products by young adults, with price being one of the top motivating factors when food shopping. We are delighted to be working with the Co-operative Food to support this demand from young people and give them greater opportunities to buy healthy, ethical, and locally sourced food, while saving them money.”
In addition to the Co-operative Food offer, the Young Scot card gives young people access a wide range of benefits which support them to lead active, positive lifestyles. Cardholders can claim over 1,500 discounts for services such as money off public transport, driving lessons, and study guides.
The card carries the PASS hologram which provides young people with a trusted and credible way of proving their age. It also gives young people access to a host of other benefits including cashless catering, leisure and library services and e-voting.
Furthermore, its Young Scot Rewards programme encourages young people to earn points for activities such as volunteering and arts opportunities which they can exchange for unique experiences which benefits their learning and broadens their experiences outside of school.
In addition to Co-operative Group food stores, the Young Scot discount will also available from Monday 17 November in Scotmid Co-operative food stores.
For further information
media interviews or images please contact Joe Boyle at Stripe Communications on 0131 561 8628 or e-mail youngscot@stripecommunications.com, or Steve Broughton at The Co-operative Group on 0161 767 4298 or email steve.broughton@co-operative.coop
Notes to Editors:
*Exclusions apply: Alcohol, baby milk, stamps, savings schemes, National Lottery and Health Lottery purchases, gift vouchers, phone cards, continuity programmes, in-store concessions, PayPoint, currency, fuel, cigarettes and Tobacco, newspaper delivery, electrical goods.
Young Scot
Young Scot is the national youth information and citizenship charity for Scotland. There are 570,000 Young Scot cardholders across Scotland and is a partnership between Young Scot, the Scottish Government, the Improvement Service and all 32 local authorities.
Young Scot provides all young people in Scotland aged 11-25 with information, ideas and opportunities to enable them to make informed decisions and choices, turn their ideas into action and take advantage of opportunities available throughout Scotland and Europe.
www.youngscot.org – The national youth information portal for Scotland
www.youngscot.net – Young Scot’s corporate website
The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group, which is the UK’s largest co-operative business with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services, has a clear purpose of championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities. Owned by millions of UK consumers, The Co-operative Group operates a total of 3,750 outlets, with more than 70,000 employees and an annual turnover of approximately £11 billion
For more information about The Co-operative Food go to www.co-operativefood.co.uk