Why Tesco is staging a 90s rave
By James Herring on Thursday, June 12, 2025
Tesco is marking 30 years of Clubcard with a move that’s equal parts nostalgia and brand play: a two-night 90s themed club event in central London, open exclusively to loyalty members.
‘Club Card’ — is a takeover of The Vinyl Factory in Soho on July 4th and 5th with special guests Blue and B*Witched!
The event promises “to transport guests straight back to the era of Nokia mobile phones, butterfly hair clips, and Smirnoff Ices, because we’re a nation obsessed with all things 90s.”
It’s designed to tap into the UK’s growing love affair with all things late-20th-century, from Y2K fashion to retro club culture.
New Tesco research shows over half of Brits feel nostalgic for the era, and even Gen Z are getting in on it, with 64% saying they wish they could’ve experienced a 90s night out.
Inside the space, there’ll be DJs spinning the hits of the day, a bar stocked with J2Os and WKDs, a Pick ‘n’ Mix stand, and a ‘Self-Checkout Selfie Station’. There’s even a chance to win prizes from Clubcard partners via retro arcade games.
Blue and B*Witched! confirmed to perform
There’s already more than 23 million member households across the UK, although those without a Clubcard can still join the fun by signing up before the event.
It’s a fun move from a traditional retailer, taking a functional (and frankly boring) product – the loyalty card and refreshing it for new and old audiences.
Shama Wilson, Group Membership and Loyalty Director at Tesco, said: “Club Card is an up-to-date take on the legendary nineties and noughties nights out, whether you experienced them the first time or are finally getting to see what all the fuss was about. Nostalgia is everywhere this year, so this is our way to celebrate Clubcard’s 30th birthday with members, both those that were shopping with us in 1995 and everyone who has joined us since.”
Club Card isn’t just a party — it’s Tesco turning loyalty into lifestyle, and showing there’s cultural capital in those blue-and-white stripes.
