Editing Nectar (loyalty card)

{{Short description|Loyalty card scheme in the United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Nectar 360 Limited
| logo = Nectar logo.png
| former_name = {{Ubl
| Loyalty Management UK Limited (2001–2011)<ref name="CompaniesHouse" />
| Aimia Coalition Loyalty UK Limited (2011–2018)<ref name="CompaniesHouse" />
| Nectar Loyalty Limited (2018–2019)<ref name="CompaniesHouse" />
}}
| type = [[Limited company]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|2001|05|30}}<ref name="CompaniesHouse" />
| location = 33 Holborn, London<ref name="CompaniesHouse" />
| key_people = James Moir (managing director)
| industry = [[Retail]]
| products = [[Loyalty scheme]]
| revenue = 
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| owner = [[Sainsbury's|J Sainsbury plc]] (2018–present)
| num_employees = 
| footnotes = 
| homepage = {{URL|https://nectar.com}}
}}
'''Nectar''' is a [[loyalty card]] scheme in the United Kingdom run by Nectar 360 Limited,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nectar Cookie Policy {{!}} Collect And Spend Nectar Points on More Than 500 Brands {{!}} Nectar |url=https://www.nectar.com/about/privacy-and-legal/cookie-policy |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=Nectar}}</ref><ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=2001-05-30 |title=Nectar 360 Limited overview - Find and update company information - Gov.uk |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04224736 |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en}}</ref> company wholly owned by [[Sainsbury's]]. The scheme is the largest in the United Kingdom, and comprises a number of partner companies including Sainsbury's, [[Esso]], [[Argos (store)|Argos]] and [[British Airways]]. It launched in 2002 with initially four partner companies, and by 2010 had grown to include over 14 companies and over 400 online retailers. Participating companies cover sectors including travel, retail, finance and newspapers.

The scheme was established by Loyalty Management Group, replacing the existing schemes of three of the four launch companies. Nectar was purchased by the [[Canada|Canadian]] Groupe Aeroplan (now [[Aimia (company)|Aimia]]) in 2007,<ref name=Litterick>{{cite news |last1=Litterick |first1=David |title=Aeroplan snaps up Nectar for £368m |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2820600/Aeroplan-snaps-up-Nectar-for-368m.html |url-status=live |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=4 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624082022/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2820600/Aeroplan-snaps-up-Nectar-for-368m.html |archive-date=24 June 2012 |access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref> and purchased by Sainsbury's in 2018.<ref name="Editorial">{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-nectar-m-a-sainsbury/uks-sainsburys-buys-nectar-from-aimia-for-60-million-sterling-idUKKBN1FL55X |url-status=dead |title=UK's Sainsbury's buys Nectar from Aimia for 60 million sterling |work=[[Reuters]] |date=1 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201142500/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-nectar-m-a-sainsbury/uks-sainsburys-buys-nectar-from-aimia-for-60-million-sterling-idUKKBN1FL55X |archive-date=1 February 2018 |access-date=8 July 2024}}</ref>

==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.

==Collection==
Cardholders receive points on purchases made at participating retailers both instore and online, generally beginning at one point per whole pound spent. Points for fuel at Esso and Sainsbury's are awarded for each litre purchased. Extra points may be earned when buying certain products or during particular promotions. A number of other online retailers award points when purchases are made on their websites accessed through the main Nectar website.

Nectar receives a payment from each retailer for each point paid to a customer. It then reimburses the retailer when the points are redeemed.

==Redemption==
A number of retailers allow cardholders to redeem points in store for money off their shopping, including Argos and Sainsbury's.<ref>{{cite web|title=General Reward Conditions|url=http://www.nectar.com/about-nectar/legal/general-reward-conditions.points|publisher=Nectar|access-date=14 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602040019/http://www.nectar.com/about-nectar/legal/general-reward-conditions.points|archive-date=2 June 2015}}</ref> Points are typically be redeemed in batches of 500, with each point being worth 0.5p.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-03 |title=Nectar points calculator - How much are your Nectar points worth |url=https://moneysavinganswers.com/shopping/rewards/how-much-are-my-nectar-points-worth/ |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=moneysavinganswers.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Points can also be redeemed with a number of partners through e-vouchers, including [[Eurostar]] and Caffè Nero. Points are lost if a Nectar account is closed.  For example, an account may be closed if no points have been earned or redeemed for a continuous period of 12 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nectar.com/about/privacy-and-legal/collector-rules|title=Nectar Collector Rules – Collect And Spend Nectar Points on More Than 500 Brands – UK Loyalty Card – Nectar|website=www.nectar.com}}</ref> As Nectar points do not normally "expire", it is possible for cardholders to save towards more expensive rewards, such as train tickets and holidays.

==Participating companies==
===Current===

* [[American Express]] (co-branded credit card)
* [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]]
* [[Bloom & Wild]]
* [[British Airways]] (conversion to and from [[Avios]])<ref>{{cite news |last1=Caswell |first1=Mark |title=Avios unveils new loyalty partnership with Nectar |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2021/01/21/avios-unveils-new-loyalty-partnership-with-nectar/ |access-date=28 January 2021 |work=Business Traveller |date=21 January 2021}}</ref>
* [[DHL Express]]
* [[Esso]] (joined 1 June 2019)
* [[Sainsbury's]] (launch member)
* [[The Hut Group]] (runs a "Nectar Exclusives" webstore – includes a variety of products to redeem points)
* [[Viking Direct]]

Points can also be collected for purchases from a number of retailers via the Nectar online store, including:
* [[ASOS.com]]
* [[Apple Inc|Apple]]
* [[Currys]]
* [[Dell]]
* [[Disney Store]]
* [[eBay]]
* [[F. Hinds]]
* [[Furniture Village]]
* [[Game (retailer)|Game]]
* [[Next plc|Next]]
* [[Sky (United Kingdom)|Sky]]
* [[Virgin Media]]
* [[Vodafone]] (joined 2003, left 2005, rejoined 2009)
* [[Zavvi (retailer)|Zavvi]]
* [[Waterstones]]

===Former===
* [[Amazon.com|Amazon]] (removed on 1 February 2013)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nectar.com/shop-at/amazon.eshops|title = Nectar}}</ref>
* [[Avanti West Coast]] (membership ended on 30 April 2022 and replaced with [https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/tickets-and-savings/club-avanti Club Avanti])
* [[Barclaycard]] (was a launch member, however membership ended on 31 August 2005)
* [[Beefeater (restaurant)|Beefeater]] (membership ended on 31 January 2011)
* [[BP]] (was a launch member, however membership ended on 31 May 2019)
* [[Brewers Fayre]] (membership ended on 1 February 2011)
* [[British Gas]] (left scheme on 30 June 2015)
* [[Confused.com]]
* The ''[[Daily Mail]]'' newspaper<ref>{{cite news|title=Nectar launches into new sector with Mail Newspapers partnership|url=http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/nectar-launches-into-new-sector-with-mail-newspapers-partnership-614016533.html|access-date=31 March 2017|work=NewsWire|date=16 February 2017}}</ref>
* [[Debenhams]] (was a launch member, however membership ended on 15 February 2008)
* [[Dollond & Aitchison]]
* [[eBay]] (membership ended on 1 September 2024, but points can be collected when shopping with eBay through the Nectar online store) <ref>{{cite web |title=An important update on eBay and Nectar |url=https://pages.ebay.co.uk/pnsctrieahyb/ |accessdate=21 August 2024 |website=ebay.co.uk}}</ref>
* [[ebookers]] (membership ended on 1 June 2009)
* [[EDF Energy]] (stopped issuing Nectar points as of 31 December 2010)
* [[Expedia]]
* [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
* [[Gala Coral Group#Gala Bingo|Gala Bingo]] (membership ended on 1 June 2010)
* [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] (membership ended 30 April 2022)
* [[HMV]]
* [[Homebase]] (membership ended 31 December 2016){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* [[Hull Trains]]
* [[London North Eastern Railway]]
* [[Magnet Kitchens|Magnet]]
* [[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]] (membership ended on 30 April 2021)
* [[Table Table]] (left scheme on 31 January 2011)
* [[TalkTalk Group|TalkTalk]] (membership ended on 31 August 2009)
* [[First Quench Retailing|Threshers]]
* [[TransPennine Express (2016–2023)|TransPennine Express]]
* [[Virgin Trains East Coast]]<ref>[http://saveecrewards.co.uk/rewards-guide/62-the-figures-are-out-we-compare Comparison between Nectar and East Coast Rewards] Save East Coast Rewards</ref>
* [[Virgin Trains West Coast]]
* [[Vision Express]] (removed from 1 January 2015)<ref>{{cite web|title=Nectar|url=http://www.visionexpress.com/offers/nectar/|publisher=Vision Express|access-date=23 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126004512/http://www.visionexpress.com/offers/nectar/|archive-date=26 January 2015}}</ref>
* [[VitalityHealth]]
* Winemark (Northern Ireland only)

==International schemes==
Aimia launched Nectar in Italy in 2010, with retailers including [[Auchan]] and [[Unieuro]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Creevy|first1=Jennifer|title=Nectar programme launches in Italy|url=http://www.retail-week.com/sectors/food/nectar-programme-launches-in-italy/5010318.article|access-date=23 February 2015|work=Retail Week|date=11 February 2010}}</ref> The Italian scheme ended in February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Italian Nectar program to close in February 2016|url=https://www.aimia.com/en/media-center/news-releases/viewer.html/en/italian-nectar-programtocloseinfebruary2016|access-date=28 August 2017|publisher=Aimia|date=16 December 2015}}</ref>

A separate scheme is operated by [[Cencosud]] in [[Chile]] through a licensing agreement with Aimia.

== Security ==
After reports of Nectar points being stolen from cardholders, new spending security measures were introduced, including a spend lock feature. Although Nectar has not confirmed methods which have been used to steal points, it was previously possible to spend points with access to the account number alone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Eloise |date=2025-02-06 |title=Sainsbury's launches Nectar points 'lock' to combat fraud |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/02/sainsburys-nectar-points-lock/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Barrett |first=Claer |date=2024-11-22 |title=Sainsbury’s shoppers warned to watch out for Nectar points scam |url=https://www.ft.com/content/57ad69db-150b-422f-9fbd-aaf5f5788842 |access-date=2025-04-21 |work=Financial Times}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Tesco Clubcard]] – Rival supermarket [[Tesco]]'s loyalty card scheme.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.nectar.com/}}
* [https://www.nectar360.co.uk Nectar360] – Nectar 360 operates the Nectar consumer loyalty programme

{{Sainsbury's}}
{{Customer loyalty programs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nectar Loyalty Card}}
[[Category:BP]]
[[Category:Customer loyalty programs]]
[[Category:Retailing in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sainsbury's]]
[[Category:Aimia (company)]]