Tesco will tomorrow launch a half-price sale that will last throughout Christmas – but has told MCV that the promotion is not in reaction to Woolworths’ ‘fire sale’.

The firm will cut prices on around 1,000 products from now until Christmas – including non-food.

The focus is firmly on gifts and essentials for Christmas as Tesco Insight research suggests that customers are worrying that if they spend too soon, they’ll miss out on discounts.

“Customers are telling us that they are delaying their main Christmas purchases as they wait for bargains,” said Commercial Director Richard Brasher. “Some say that a bit of the pleasure they usually get from buying gifts has gone in the current climate.

“Our Half Price Sale reassures customers that we’re not making them wait. They’ve told us they still want to enjoy a special Christmas – with big presents for their children and a proper Christmas meal – but they want us to help make their money go further.”

A Tesco spokesperson told MCV: “This sale has absolutely nothing to do with the Woolworths sale announced yesterday.”

MCV is awaiting comment from Tesco on which video games and/or consoles will be affected.