The rise of loyalty card rage! Brits are forced spend up to twice as much at supermarkets and cafes if they don't sign up - so, just how much are supermarkets inflating their prices?
- More and more businesses in the UK are adopting loyalty scheme models
- READ MORE: How boozy is your gin in a tin?
Have you ever walked into your local supermarket only to realise you've forgotten your membership card, meaning you have to purchase staple items at a higher price?
Well, then you're probably with the thousands of Britons who have experienced Clubcard rage - the frustration felt when you purchase items knowing you could've got them cheaper had you remembered your discount card.
As more and more supermarkets, cafes, and health stores across the UK adopt membership models, from Tesco to Boots and Superdrug, consumers risk paying surplus charges if they fail to sign up for their schemes.
While some chains offer the reward scheme via an app, many Britons rely on their physical card, meaning customers must pay up to twice as much if they forget it.
The increasingly common phenomenon has led Britons to share their frustration on X, formerly Twitter, with one complaining: 'Just went to Tesco and forgot to scan my Clubcard. I am never going to financially recover from this.'
Have you ever travelled to your local supermarket only to remember that you've forgotten your loyalty card? Well, then you've probably experienced Clubcard rage
Membership schemes have become common in grocery stores for some time. However, recent advancements have meant that cafes, including Pret, Costa, and Cafe Nero, now offer similar schemes.
Club Pret, for example, offers a 20 per cent reduction on all food if people join their £30 per month scheme, along with five Barista-made drinks per day.
However, unlike Pret, most loyalty schemes come cost-free, meaning regular customers can get staple items at a reduced price in exchange for their details. For example, Tesco offers a meal deal at £3.40 for Clubcard holders but £3.40 for those without.
The price reductions have led Britons to experience a new kind of anger when they forget their membership cards. Some have expressed frustration about the modern ordeal on X, formerly Twitter, and one said: 'Forgot my Clubcard I feel robbed.'
'I think if I ever forgot my Clubcard at Tesco I'd have to file for bankruptcy,' said another.
A third added: 'You know you're an adult when you go food shopping and get angry because you forgot to scan your nectar card.'
'Just spent over £120 in Sainsbury's and Rob forgot to swipe my Nectar Card to earn the points. Forgot! I'm literally fuming,' another said.
Here, FEMAIL reveals the supermarkets, cafes, and stores with membership cards and the savings you can get with them...
Many have taken to X, formerly Twitter, to share their experiences of the increasingly common problem
TESCO
Clubcard holders can purchase a Dr Oetker Pepperoni pizza at Tesco for a fraction of the price
Dr Oetker Pepperoni pizza
Normal price - £3
Clubcard price £1.75
Nescafe Azera Americano Intense Instant Coffee 90g
Normal price - £6
Clubcard price - £3.50
Pilgrims Choice Mature Cheddar Cheese 350 G
Normal price - £4.20
Clubcard price - £2.75
SAINSBURYS
Nectar card holders can purchase a leg of lamb at a shocking reduction of 50 per cent
Leg of lamb
Normal price - £26
Nectar card price - £13
Sainsbury's Strawberries 400g
Normal price - £3.25
Nectar card price - £2.50
Grey Goose Premium French Vodka 70cl
Normal price - £41.50
Nectar card price - £32
MORRISONS
Morrisons More card holders can purchase a one litre bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey for £23
Jack Daniels one litre
Normal price £34
More card price - £23
Cod fillet
Normal price £16
More card price - £12.99
Stella Artois 18x440ml
Normal price £15
More card price - £12.99
ASDA
At Asda, those with a loyalty card can buy frozen essentials, such as Birds Eye chicken dippers, at a cheaper price
Birds Eye Chicken Dippers
Normal price - £5.25
Asda Rewards price - £3.50
Cadbury Mini Eggs Inclusions Ultimate Egg 380g
Normal price - £10
Asda Rewards price - £2 cashpot
Goodfella's Takeaway The Big Cheese Pizza
Normal price - £4.50
Asda Rewards price - £2.50
BOOTS
Boots Advantage Card holders benefit from an eye-watering 50 per cent saving when buying Olay cream
Olay Retinol cream
Normal price - £44
Advantage card price - £22
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Normal price - £39.50
Advantage card price - £31.60
La Roche-Posay HyaluB5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum 30ml
Normal price - £45
Advantage card price - £36
SUPERDRUG
Superdrug offers a selection of big savings when customers hold a Beautycard, including for the Joop! Homme Eau de Toilette for Him
Joop! Homme Eau de Toilette for Him
Normal price - £62
Member price - £22.10
Oral-B Pro3 3500 Pink Electric Toothbrush + Riso Travel Case
Normal price - £99.99
Member price - £59.99
NIVEA Deodorant Black & White Silky Smooth Spray 250ml
Normal price - £4.99
Member price - £2.50
Tesco offers different prices for everyday items for those with a Clubcard, including essentials, frozen food, and alcohol.
Based on a sample of 25 per cent of Clubcard members and large store sales between January 1 2022 - December 31 2022, the supermarket estimated that shoppers could save £351 a year with Clubcard prices, according to its website.
Sainsbury's offers a similar model, with shoppers benefiting from reduced prices in-store and personalised deals with a Nectar card.
Likewise, Morrisons offers a More card, and Lidl does Lidl Plus to boost customer savings and exclusive rewards based on a given customer's activity.
Meanwhile, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer do not offer reduced prices in-store for members but give perks such as free hot drinks in-store and, for Marks and Spencer customers, a chance to get a basket of shopping for free.
Tesco estimated that Clubcard holders will save £351 on groceries throughout the year, according to its website
Meanwhile, toiletries stores, including Boots and Superdrug, have also hopped on the trend - adding to the list of stores' fuelling range when customers forget their loyalty card.
Boots reduce prices of everyday items, such as soap, shampoo, and even some types of medication, for those who have an Advantage card.
Superdrug's Beautycard operates similarly and gives shoppers reduced prices for given items.
And it's not just shops operating under this model - cafes also add to the rage should customers forget their loyalty card.
While Costa and Cafe Nero offer a free drink to customers after they've purchased so many, Starbucks provides points for each purchase.
The Starbucks card adds three stars for every £1 spent, with 150 stars equating to a free barista-made drink of choice.
Meanwhile, Pret offers Club Pret for £30 a month, which gives five free barista-made drinks a day and an added 20 per cent of all food items purchased in-store.
