1960s-style supermarket opens for customers

Tesco has recreated a 1960s store to mark Tesco Bank's sponsorship of Goodwood Revival, the historic motor racing event that will see more than 140,000 people relive the romance and glamour of motor racing as it used to be.

Tesco has recreated a 1960s store to mark Tesco Bank's sponsorship of Goodwood Revival, the historic motor racing event that will see more than 140,000 people relive the romance and glamour of motor racing as it used to be.

Customers will be able to walk up and down three aisles and browse shelves stacked high with dozens of products from the era including Colman’s mustard, Pears soap and Carnation evaporated milk which have been especially created in vintage packaging.

Well loved retro products such as Treets, Marathon bars, Opal Fruits, Tunnocks’ tea cakes and traditional cream soda will also be available to buy in their old style branding.

To complete the experience of shopping 1960s style, the check-out assistants will be dressed in vintage inspired uniforms with hair and make-up styled in the fashion of the area.

The entire course at Goodwood Revival, which takes place 16-18 September 2011, is set to a period theme with no exceptions, including the costumed Tesco Bank staff who will be promoting products outside the store.

Andrew Higginson, CEO of Tesco Retailing Services said:

“No matter what age they are, people love taking a trip down memory lane. We have spent months planning the retro store, pouring over old photographs and employee reports, to ensure we give customers a real authentic feel of shopping in the sixties. Tesco has been a much loved British institution since the 1920s and we’re very proud to be associated with such a fantastic British racing event.”

Shopping in the 1960s was a world apart from what our customers experience today:

-In 1966 the average family would spend almost 23% of their weekly income on their grocery shop.  Today, the average family spends less than 10% of their income on their grocery shop (Office of National Statistics).

-In the 1960s customers would collect a Green Shield Stamp for every sixpence spent on shopping.   Today Tesco’s Clubcard is the most popular loyalty scheme in the UK.

-In the 1960s customers would visit their local Tesco for their weekly grocery shop only.  Today, the range of products Tesco offers in store and online covers groceries, non-food, personal finance products, Tesco mobile phone contracts and a whole range of other services.

Mrs Biddy Finch, from Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, remembers shopping at Tesco in the 60s and recalls:

“I remember buying brands like Quick Brew tea, Frey Bentos corned beef and Sunlight soap, and getting Green Shield Stamps after paying for my shopping at a manual cash register.  We stuck the stamps into special books, and once the books were full we’d get to choose a gift.  The stamps were popular, but nowhere near as good as Clubcard is today!”

To purchase tickets for Goodwood Revival 2011 visit: www.goodwood.co.uk/revival

ENDS

Notes to editor:

-The Tesco store is 1,700sqft – slightly smaller in size than a current Express store.

-It will be open to all Goodwood Revival visitors between 7.30am and 6.00pm during the festival.

-Retro products for purchase include:

Marmite

Bovril

Treets

Maltesers

Marathon bars

Opal Fruits

Dairy Milk

Bournville

Milk Tray

Salt N Shake Crisps

Tunnocks’ tea cakes

Tunnocks’ caramel wafers

Warburtons milk rolls

Warburtons toastie rolls

Double Diamond beer

Cream soda

Traditional lemonade

Dandelion and Burdock

-A limited edition Goodwood Revival branded Tesco giftcard will be on sale for £1 (can also be loaded with up to £100 and can be redeemed in any Tesco store).

-Special edition Goodwood Revival bags for life will be available to buy for as little as £3.00.

-Visitors will be able to buy Mr Whippy cones and Rocket lollies from an ice cream servery hatch at the store.

-There will also be the chance to win at Tesco Bank’s exclusive prize draw - a flight in a Vintage Aircraft, followed by an overnight stay for two at the Goodwood Hotel, including dinner.

-Goodwood Revival takes place at the Goodwood Estate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0PX.