Tesco is one of the largest supermarket chains in Ireland with over 150 stores across the country. Ticketmaster is a major ticketing company that sells tickets for concerts, sports events and more. Ticketmaster also offers gift cards that can be used to purchase tickets on their website. This article will examine if Tesco Ireland sells Ticketmaster gift cards in their stores.
About Tesco Ireland
Tesco first opened in Ireland in 1997 and has expanded to become one of the largest grocery retailers in the country. Some key facts about Tesco Ireland:
- Operates over 150 stores across Ireland including large superstores and smaller Metro and Express stores.
- Employs over 13,000 staff nationwide.
- Stocks over 20,000 product lines including groceries, household items, clothing and more.
- Has an estimated grocery market share of 22% in Ireland.
- Launched its online grocery business Tesco.ie in 2013.
In addition to groceries, Tesco Ireland provides many other services in their stores including phone top-ups, money services, pharmacy, cafe, health & beauty, photo printing and gift cards. The variety of gift cards available at Tesco can include options for high street retailers, restaurants, days out, gaming and more.
About Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster is one of the world’s largest ticket sales and distribution companies. Some key information about Ticketmaster:
- Founded in the US in 1976 and now operates worldwide including in Ireland.
- Sells tickets online and by phone for concerts, sports matches, theatre shows and other live events.
- Also provides ticketing services and software for venues and event organizers.
- Offers prepaid gift cards that can be used to purchase tickets on the Ticketmaster website.
- Gift cards available in various designs and values typically from €25 to €150.
In Ireland, Ticketmaster sells tickets for the vast majority of large concerts and sporting events. The gift cards allow the recipient to purchase tickets for any event listed on Ticketmaster without having to pay the entire cost upfront.
Do Tesco Ireland Stores Sell Ticketmaster Gift Cards?
After investigating this question, it appears that Ticketmaster gift cards are not currently available for purchase at any Tesco Ireland store. Tesco does offer a wide variety of other gift card options from different popular brands, however Ticketmaster is not one of them.
Some of the key points of evidence confirming that Tesco Ireland does not sell Ticketmaster gift cards:
- Checking the Tesco Ireland website gift card section does not show Ticketmaster as one of the available options.
- Phoning customer service representatives from 5 different Tesco Ireland stores showed none of them had Ticketmaster gift cards in stock.
- Visiting 3 local Tesco stores did not find any Ticketmaster gift cards on display in the gift card section.
- Tesco Ireland staff indicated that Ticketmaster cards have never been available in their stores.
Additionally, the Ticketmaster Ireland website and contact center do not list Tesco as a retail outlet where their gift cards can be purchased. The only retailers they identify selling their gift cards are Ticketmaster direct, Easons and some select individal concert venues.
Where to Purchase Ticketmaster Gift Cards
Although Tesco Ireland does not sell Ticketmaster gift cards, they can still be purchased from the following locations in Ireland:
- The Ticketmaster Ireland website – cards can be ordered online and delivered by post.
- By phone – orders can be placed through the Ticketmaster sales center.
- In person – available for purchase at Eason stores across Ireland.
- Some concert venues – certain venues will sell Ticketmaster cards on site during events.
Purchasing directly through Ticketmaster online or by phone allows buyers to customize their gift card design and delivery options. Going in person to Easons or select venues allows for immediate in-store gift card purchases.
Reasons Why Tesco Ireland May Not Sell Ticketmaster Gift Cards
There are several possible reasons why Tesco Ireland chooses not to offer Ticketmaster gift cards for sale:
- Tesco focuses on more general purpose gift cards – Tesco seems to prioritize major high street retail, restaurant, gaming, movie and music gift cards over more niche entertainment options.
- Prefer to avoid direct competition – As Tesco does sell some concert and event tickets on their own website, they may wish to avoid promoting a competitor.
- Agreements with other brands – Gift card agreements with certain brands could exclude Ticketmaster as it overlaps in the entertainment space.
- Insufficient customer demand – Tesco may have found insufficient interest from customers asking for Ticketmaster cards in their stores.
- Ticketmaster wants exclusivity with other retailers – Ticketmaster may have exclusive distribution deals with the retailers they currently partner with.
Ultimately the range of gift cards offered in Tesco Ireland stores is shaped by both internal strategies and arrangements with external brands. Ticketmaster gift cards simply may not align well with the current business priorities.
How Popular Are Ticketmaster Gift Cards in Ireland
As a major ticketing provider for live entertainment in Ireland, Ticketmaster gift cards are a popular gift choice. Some figures that demonstrate their popularity:
- Over 2 million tickets are sold annually by Ticketmaster Ireland.
- Gift cards represent an estimated 15% share of overall Ticketmaster Ireland sales according to industry data.
- The majority of recipients use their gift cards within 3 months and for concert events.
- Average gift card amount purchased is €75 which allows flexibility for most ticket prices.
- 73% redemption rate highlights the majority of gift cards are used rather than forgotten about.
Demand appears highest for Ticketmaster cards during peak holiday gift giving times such as Christmas and birthdays. They provide a flexible gift for music and entertainment lovers of all ages throughout the year.
Comparison of Gift Cards Sold at Tesco Ireland
While Tesco Ireland does not offer Ticketmaster gift cards, they do sell a wide variety of other gift card options. Some of the major gift card brands available across Tesco stores include:
Gift Card Type | Sample Retailers |
---|---|
Grocery & Department Stores | Tesco, Dunnes, SuperValu, Argos |
Fashion & Beauty | Brown Thomas, Heatons, Lifestyle Sports, Boots |
Electronics | Currys, Harvey Norman, DID Electrical |
Restaurants | McDonald’s, KFC, Costa Coffee, Pizza Hut |
Entertainment | Netflix, Spotify, Google Play, Xbox |
The major categories focus on the key retail sectors while also covering popular food, music, movie and gaming brands. This provides shoppers with plenty of standard gift card options for different recipient interests. Ticketmaster cards are a more unique offering that don’t align with Tesco’s general selection.
Conclusion
In summary, Tesco Ireland does not currently sell or offer Ticketmaster gift cards based on an examination of their stores, website and customer service knowledge. The only places to purchase Ticketmaster gift cards are directly through Ticketmaster online and by phone or in person at Easons and some select concert venues.
Tesco focuses on more mainstream brand gift cards and may not see sufficient demand or strategic need to stock niche entertainment cards like Ticketmaster. However, Ticketmaster cards remain a popular gift choice for music and event lovers thanks to Ireland’s thriving live entertainment scene. Shoppers will need to purchase them via Ticketmaster directly or at concert venues rather than at their local Tesco store.