Supermarket Loyalty Card Warning: £1.2 Billion in Unused Points
A significant warning has been issued for anyone carrying a supermarket loyalty card in their purse or wallet. New research commissioned by Smart Energy GB shows that UK shoppers could be sitting on a staggering £1.2 billion in unused supermarket loyalty points.
Survey Reveals Widespread Point Accumulation
A survey of 2,000 adults found that 75% currently have cash available across an average of three supermarket loyalty schemes. Among those shoppers, individuals have nearly £31 banked on average, ready to help their spending stretch further during grocery trips.
The reasons for storing up points varied among respondents. Approximately 45% are planning to save their points for bigger seasonal spends, such as Christmas or summer holidays, while 32% want to maximise the value of their points throughout the year by using them strategically.
Value-Driven Mindset Extends Beyond Supermarkets
Almost two thirds (64%) of shoppers are applying the same value-driven mindset beyond the supermarket aisle. This includes timing big purchases around the best deals (43%), cancelling subscriptions when not in use (32%), and rotating streaming services to take advantage of introductory offers (13%).
Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, which commissioned the research, commented on these findings. She said: “People are becoming increasingly smart about how they make their money go further – whether that’s building up supermarket loyalty points for a bigger shop, or timing purchases to get the best possible value.”
Energy Consumption Patterns Mirror Shopping Habits
Bacon added: “What we’re seeing is that same value-focused mindset in other parts of everyday life too. For some people that includes their household energy, with more attention being paid not just to what things cost, but when gas and electricity are used.”
She explained that many households are exploring different types of flexibility in their spending and energy use. Tools like smart meters can allow access to tariffs and schemes which reward shifting energy use to different times of day.
These devices also come with other everyday benefits, such as accurate bills based on actual usage. Those with smart prepay meters can top up their energy from home and keep track of remaining credit more easily without visiting physical locations.
Importance of Understanding Financial Tools
Victoria Bacon concluded: “From supermarket rewards to flexible tariffs and schemes, there are more tools than ever that could help people manage how they spend and use their money. For some households, using energy more flexibly could help them make savings, but it’s important to take the time to understand how these options work and whether they’re the right fit for your home and lifestyle.”
The research highlights how British consumers are becoming more strategic with both their shopping loyalty points and broader household expenses, though significant value remains untapped in supermarket schemes alone.
