BARGAIN-hunters at Sainsbury’s are being handed the chance to rack up 10 times the Nectar points on their shopping.
Whilst the offer seems tempting, there is a catch – the deal only runs this week, and so shoppers must move fast to cash in.
Bargain hunters can rack up 10x the Nectar points on their next shopping trip[/caption]
Nectar is one of the UK’s most popular loyalty schemes, used by millions of Sainsbury’s customers.
Every pound spent earns 1 Nectar point, which translates to 0.5p at redemption.
That means 1,000 points equal £5.
Points are collected using a digitised card or physical card, then cashed in for money off groceries, fuel, entertainment, or partner retailers like Argos and eBay.
The new offer means that anyone who buys a Taste the Difference product can unlock the bumper bonus.
Once the offer is activated, customers receive 10x points on their entire shop, not just the premium product itself.
That means a weekly grocery run could suddenly become a serious points earner.
Normally, a £30 shop would earn 30 points, worth just 15p.
But under this week’s 10× boost, that same shop suddenly earns 300 points, giving a hearty £1.50 back in value.
To get the 10× points, the offer must be unlocked before shopping. This can be done in three different ways:
- Nectar app – open the app, head to the “offers” section and activate the deal.
- Nectar website – log in online and unlock the offer from your account.
- SmartShop app or in-store handset – if using SmartShop, the unlocked offer will show automatically as you shop.
So while SmartShop is a handy option, it’s not the only way to take part.
Shoppers without the app or handset can still unlock the deal online, then simply swipe or scan their Nectar card at the till to get the bonus.
How does the Nectar scheme work?
The Nectar loyalty programme is one of the UK’s biggest, and it’s free to join.
Members collect points every time they shop with partners including Sainsbury’s, Argos, Esso, eBay and even Just Eat.
Points can then be turned into money-off vouchers, used to pay for groceries, or spent with partner retailers.
Every point is worth 0.5p, meaning 1,000 Nectar points equals £5.
On a normal Sainsbury’s shop, customers earn one point per £1 spent, but under this week’s special promotion, those earnings are multiplied tenfold, turning 500 points into a hefty 5,000 in a single go.
How to sign up for Nectar
Those who don’t already have a Nectar account can join for free online at nectar.com or by downloading the Nectar app on a smartphone.
After registering, shoppers receive a digital card which can be scanned at tills, or they can request a physical card if preferred.
Once signed up, the Nectar app also provides access to personalised offers, from bonus points on specific products to deals across Sainsbury’s, Argos and other partner stores.
These can be activated in advance and then redeemed by scanning the card at checkout.
Taste the Difference products are a staple in many households, from premium ready meals to wines and fresh produce.
Buying just one allows customers to unlock 10x points on everything else in their trolley.
That means a £50 shop, which would normally net just 50 Nectar points (worth 25p), could now return a bumper 500 points (worth £2.50).
While it might not sound like a fortune, regular shoppers know that these offers add up fast and with Sainsbury’s running frequent Nectar promotions, points can quickly turn into decent discounts on the weekly food bill.
Sainsbury’s has handed customers a golden opportunity to boost their Nectar balance this week, but the window is short.
Shoppers must act quickly, unlocking the offer before heading to store and remembering to pick up at least one Taste the Difference product.
With points stacking up ten times faster, a simple grocery run could suddenly mean far more bang for the buck.
More offers
It comes just as Iceland announced a major shake up to its rewards programme.
The frozen food giant has confirmed its long-running Bonus Card will be rebranded as Bonus Club, with the promise of even bigger savings and new rewards for families feeling the squeeze.
Now, with the switch to Bonus Club, it becomes a fully digital loyalty programme accessible through the app.
Members can top up their Bonus Club account in-store or online and get a £1 bonus for every £20 saved.
A steady saving of just £2 per week would give members over £100 to spend by the end of the year.
On top of that, Bonus Club members enjoy free home delivery when spending £40 or more and scanning their card at the checkout, meaning no heavy lifting for shoppers.
There’s also an extra perk for those signing up during Bonus Club Week (August 26 to September 1) with new members bagging £5 free credit, while existing members receive a £2 boost.
To mark the change, Iceland has kicked off a Mega Deals Event, slashing the price of more than 500 items across stores and online.
The event runs from Tuesday, August 26th to September 23rd.
How to save cash on your food shop
Money saving experts at HSBC UK have revealed their top tips to saving cash on your food shop.
1. Set a budget
Creating a budget will help to stretch your budget. Start by working out how much you spent on food over the last three months, then each month you get paid, set aside a certain amount for food.
2. Plan your meals
Make a list of your main meals for the coming week, including the ingredients you need, and stick to it. Don’t get drawn into offers for things that you don’t need. If you already have some food leftover from the week before, try to see what you can do with that first.
3. Think about when and where you shop
It’s best to shop on a full stomach so you don’t get tempted. Shopping less often can help you to think about what you buy and it may help you to stick to your budget.
4. Go online
Shopping online is a good and easy way to manage your budget. It can also help to track expenses, whilst also preventing impulse buys.