February 5th 2024.
Have you ever wondered if it's worthwhile to switch to a different supermarket in order to take advantage of their loyalty points program? We've all seen the enticing deals at our local grocery stores, promising discounts on everyday items for those who sign up for their loyalty scheme. But is it really worth it, and are there other ways to save money on your grocery bill? Metro's money expert, Andy Webb, is here to answer all of your questions.
Currently, Tesco is offering double Clubcard points on grocery purchases until the end of the month, which may seem like a great deal. With a standard point value of 1p, this means you'll receive 2p for every £1 spent, which is equivalent to 2% back. For example, if you spend £400 on groceries this month, you'll earn a total of £8 back in points, which is £4 more than the usual amount. Plus, you can even boost your Clubcard points to twice their value when redeeming them for things like restaurant vouchers or magazine subscriptions.
However, upon further examination, you may find that other supermarkets offer similar deals or promotions that could potentially save you more money. In the end, you'll still only be receiving 2% back, which isn't a bad deal at all, but it does beat the loyalty and points programs at other supermarkets. While it may seem tempting to switch to Tesco just to take advantage of this promotion, Webb believes it's not enough to justify changing your entire shopping routine. Instead, he suggests focusing on price when deciding where to shop.
Luckily, there are tools available to help you determine if you can get your groceries for less at a different store. Consumer groups like Which? often track prices across major chains and have found that discount stores like Aldi and Lidl are around £10 cheaper than Tesco for smaller baskets, while Asda and Morrisons could save you £20 to £30 on bigger trolleys. These savings are much greater than the rewards you'd receive from loyalty points, even when they're doubled.
However, it's important to keep in mind that these comparisons are based on a set list of products, so the prices may vary depending on your own shopping needs. It's also possible that Tesco, or one of the other supermarkets, could still end up being the cheapest option for you. This research emphasizes how loyalty points are a nice bonus, but the most effective way to save money is by focusing on the actual price.
There are a few tools available to assist you in determining if you can get your groceries for less at another store. Comparison sites like Trolley.co.uk and Supermarket Wizard are great resources for finding out if your usual items are cheaper at different retailers, especially when looking for more expensive items that are on sale.
For a quick overview of loyalty schemes at UK supermarkets, here's a breakdown:
- Every scheme is unique, with only a few offering points as rewards.
- Most schemes offer additional savings through their app, so be sure to check before you go shopping.
- You can often get bigger discounts by using discounted gift cards at the checkout, which can save you 2-4% of your total spend. Websites like HyperJar and JamDoughnut offer these discounts.
- These discounts are often available at supermarkets that don't have great loyalty perks, but you can use them in conjunction with your Clubcard, Nectar, and other loyalty cards to stack the offers.
However, loyalty cards become essential when taking advantage of exclusive prices for members, a relatively new trend in supermarket schemes. Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, and Iceland all offer this, and Co-op recently joined them by replacing their 2% back on own-brand items with similar price cuts. In many cases, these exclusive prices have replaced special offers for all customers, meaning you'll miss out if you don't have a loyalty card or forget to swipe it at the checkout.
While it may be a hassle to carry around multiple loyalty cards, you can add most of them to your phone's digital wallet or an app like Stocard. This way, you won't have to worry about having them in your physical wallet or on your keyring when you go shopping. For more money-saving tips and advice, follow Andy - an award-winning blogger and podcaster from Be Clever With Your Cash - on Instagram and YouTube @becleverwithyourcash or visit becleverwithyourcash.com.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on loyalty schemes and how you save money on your grocery bill. Share your views in the comments below. And don't forget to check out our recent article on how a popular discount store is giving Primark a run for its money with their new homeware items priced at just 75p. Lastly, let's discuss the concept of "money dysmorphia" and how our obsession with being rich is driving millions into debt.
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