Editing Nectar (loyalty card) (section)

==History==
The Nectar scheme was launched in 2002, merging the existing loyalty programmes of [[Sainsbury's]], [[BP]] and [[Barclaycard]]; and including [[Debenhams]], which did not have an existing scheme. It was run by Loyalty Management Group, then chaired by Sir [[Keith Mills]], the founder of [[Air Miles]].<ref>{{cite news|title=UK to get 'biggest' loyalty card scheme|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2026217.stm|access-date=23 February 2015|work=BBC News|date=5 June 2002}}</ref> Robert Gierkink, who previously played a key role in the founding and launches of Air Miles Canada and Air Miles Netherlands, was founding CEO. The co-founding senior executive team and management shareholders of Nectar – Loyalty Management UK Ltd. further consisted of five Vice Presidents: Todd Almeida (previously Air Miles Netherlands), Martin Briggs, Peter Buis, Steve Lobb (previously [[Flybuys (New Zealand)| Fly Buys New Zealand]] ) and Alex Moorhead (previously Air Miles Canada). Additional co-founding management included Koos Berkhout and Jan Pieter Lips, both of whom previously worked for Air Miles Netherlands.

At the time of launch, Nectar confirmed it would be open to more companies to join, excluding rivals of existing members.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nectar hopes to keep customers sweet|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/2026592.stm|access-date=23 February 2015|work=Working Lunch|date=5 June 2002}}</ref> In December 2007, Loyalty Management Group was purchased by the Canadian Aeroplan, for £368 million.<ref name=Litterick/> Aeroplan later re-branded itself to Aimia.

By 2010, Nectar claimed that 16.8 million people were part of the scheme, and that it had 14 member companies and over 400 online retailers.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Thomas|first1=Joe|title=Sainsbury's claims biggest UK loyalty scheme with Nectar|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/982407/sainsburys-claims-biggest-uk-loyalty-scheme-nectar|access-date=23 February 2015|work=Marketing Magazine|date=8 February 2010}}</ref>

In August 2017, Nectar announced it was partnering with the ''Daily Mail'' newspaper. This association upset many customers, who cancelled their accounts and posted photos of their cut-up loyalty cards online.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hughes|first1=Thomas|title=Nectar loses huge numbers of customers after announcing partnership deal with the Daily Mail|url=http://evolvepolitics.com/nectar-loses-customers-the-daily-mail/|access-date=28 August 2017|work=Evolve Politics|date=16 August 2017}}</ref> The company responded, "we know that not all of you will support every partner."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nectar.com/feedback-response|title=Nectar – Our response to questions around the Daily Mail partnership|website=www.nectar.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref>

On 1 February 2018 J Sainsbury plc announced that it had purchased the Nectar business from Aimia for £60 million.<ref name="Editorial"/>

Sainsbury's began a localised trial with a new Nectar points-earning scheme for stores on the [[Isle of Wight]] in April 2018, in which the standard earning rate of one point for each pound spent was replaced by points on specific items plus points based on how frequently and how long a member has been shopping with Sainsbury's.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jahshan|first1=Elias|title=Sainsbury's to trial of complete Nectar revamp|url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2018/04/sainsburys-begins-trial-complete-nectar-overhaul/|access-date=12 April 2018|work=Retail Gazette|date=5 April 2018}}</ref>

The trial completed in October 2019, and a redesigned logo and app was launched, with the provision of a digital card on the app to scan.