UK roundup: results, loyalty and retail media news

In this instalment, our UK analysts offer their take on some of the market’s latest developments and initiatives. Here’s what you need to know about:  

Sainsbury’s first-quarter results, Tesco Clubcard open to 16 and 17 year olds, sales uplift from Sainsbury’s retail media service. 

• Sainsbury’s first quarter results: grocery sales outperform wider business 

• Tesco extends Clubcard membership to 16 and 17 year olds 

• Sainsbury’s reveals Nectar360 Pollen service boost to brand sales  

Sainsbury’s first quarter results: grocery sales outperform wider business  

Sainsbury's has updated on first quarter sales for the 16 weeks to 20 June 2026. Total retail sales (exc. fuel) were in 2.7% growth, reaching £9.2 billion, like-for-like sales were up 2.1%. Total grocery sales were in 3.6% growth at £7.6 billion, Sainsbury’s general merchandise and clothing sales declined 3.7% to £438 million, and sales at Argos were down by 0.5% to £1.1 billion. The retailer highlighted its focus on value, with 11,000 products featured on Nectar Prices and the largest Aldi Price Match in the market. Sainsbury’s noted success in fresh food, where sales were up 5%, and premium private label range, Taste the Difference, where sales increased 6%. Looking forward, Sainsbury’s said it was making healthy everyday essentials more accessible and affordable. Starting with fibre, fruit and vegetables and its Full on Fibre labelling on over 500 products. 

Senior Insight Analyst, Alex Rowberry’s view: Sainsbury’s first-quarter results underline the continued strength of its core grocery business, which is driving overall performance, while general merchandise remains a persistent headwind. The contrast between growing food sales and declining general merchandise reinforces the challenges of maintaining a broad, multi-category model, particularly as the retailer sharpens its focus on value, fresh food and private label. Argos continues to underperform relative to the rest of the group, raising ongoing questions about its strategic fit; while previous discussions with JD.com did not progress, they highlighted a willingness to reshape the portfolio, and further action cannot be ruled out as Sainsbury’s continues to prioritise its food-led proposition. 

Tesco extends Clubcard membership to 16 and 17 year olds 

Tesco has lowered the age limit for Tesco Clubcard membership to 16. The new ‘Clubcard for 16-17s’ allows 16 and 17 year olds to sign up to Tesco Clubcard through the Clubcard account of a parent and guardian. Once signed up, Clubcard is available for use in the Tesco app or website. Tesco Clubcard is used by more than 24 million UK households and in more than 80% of Tesco UK sales. 

Senior Insight Analyst, Alex Rowberry’s view: Lowering the Clubcard age limit allows Tesco to engage earlier with a shopper group it already sees as frequent users of convenience formats and meal deals, extending loyalty benefits to an under-served segment. The move is strategically aligned with building long-term shopper relationships from the beginning of independent shopping habits, strengthening lifetime value and reinforcing Tesco’s data advantage, as it continues to work towards its ambition of capturing a 30% share of the UK grocery market. 

Sainsbury’s reveals Nectar360 Pollen service boost to brand sales  

Sainsbury’s loyalty and insights business, Nectar360, has updated on the performance of its unified retail media platform, Pollen, 12 months on from its launch. Pollen is intended to help brands run more effective and connected campaigns by combining insight, media and measurement into a single platform. This allows brands to run connected campaigns across in-store, online and off-site channels. Nectar360 said omnichannel campaigns had resulted in 2.5x higher incremental sales, with the most impact seen when brands connected multiple touchpoints across the shopper journey.  

Senior Insight Analyst, Alex Rowberry’s view: As volume growth remains subdued, retail media is becoming an increasingly important lever for driving incremental sales. However, wider challenges persist around clearly demonstrating return-on-investment and ensuring ease of use for brands, which will be critical if retail media is to scale further and secure long-term investment. Platforms like Pollen demonstrate the value of connecting insight, media and measurement across the shopper journey, with the reported uplift from omnichannel campaigns highlighting the importance of coordinated touchpoints. 

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