How loyalty cards influence what we buy

An insight here into an important form of marketing, in this history of supermarket discounts, and customer loyalty, starting with Green Shield stamps and ending with the current strategy of offering loyal customers discounts on their shopping.

Please read:

Loyalty cards: How a big yellow label influences what we buy

However, the supermarkets are canny - in offering these discounts they are better able to track the shopping habits of their customers. Data analytics is huge in the continuing battle between the UK's leading food retailers.

Here is some data on the main UK supermarket loyalty cards:

• Tesco Clubcard: Tesco Clubcard is the most popular loyalty card in the UK, with over 20 million members. Members can earn points on their purchases, which can be redeemed for vouchers or discounts. Tesco also offers a number of other benefits to Clubcard members, such as exclusive deals and early access to new products.
• Sainsbury's Nectar: Sainsbury's Nectar is the second most popular loyalty card in the UK, with over 16 million members. Members can earn points on their purchases, which can be redeemed for vouchers or discounts. Sainsbury's also offers a number of other benefits to Nectar members, such as free coffee on your birthday and discounts on fuel.
• Asda's Smart Price card: Asda's Smart Price card is a basic loyalty card that offers customers discounts on their purchases. Members can earn points on their purchases, which can be redeemed for vouchers or discounts. Asda also offers a number of other benefits to Smart Price card members, such as exclusive deals and early access to new products.
• Morrisons More: Morrisons More is a loyalty card that offers customers discounts on their purchases. Members can earn points on their purchases, which can be redeemed for vouchers or discounts. Morrisons also offers a number of other benefits to More members, such as free delivery on orders over £50 and exclusive deals.
• Ocado Ocadocado: Ocado Ocadocado is a loyalty card that offers customers discounts on their online grocery orders. Members can earn points on their purchases, which can be redeemed for vouchers or discounts. Ocado also offers a number of other benefits to Ocadocado members, such as free delivery on orders over £40 and exclusive deals.

These are just a few of the main UK supermarket loyalty cards. There are a number of other cards available, so it is worth shopping around to find the one that offers the best benefits for you.