Sainsbury's launches new 'Nectar Prices' scheme with up to 60% off 100s of items – but are the discounts any good?
Sainsbury's shoppers with a Nectar card can now get discounts on around 300 items in store and online with the supermarket's new 'Nectar Prices' scheme. Pricing's been cut by between 15% and 60% on items in the scheme, so if you're planning to buy these items at Sainsbury's anyway, then scanning your Nectar card (or getting one if you don't already have one) is a no-brainer. See how the discounts stack up below.
For more on how to get the most out of your Nectar card, see our Boost your Nectar points guide.
How the new 'Nectar Prices' scheme works
The discount scheme launched today (Tuesday 11 April) and is available in store at all larger Sainsbury's supermarkets, as well as online, though you won't find the discounts in the smaller Sainsbury's Local stores.
Most of the discounts range between about 15% and 60% off, with the majority applying to non-Sainsbury's branded products, such as Fairy washing up liquid, Heinz ketchup and Pampers nappies. There are currently around 300 items discounted in the Nectar Prices scheme on the Sainsbury's website, and while the supermarket does plan to extend this list over time, the discount WON'T apply to its lunchtime meal deal, which will remain at £3.50.
When you shop in store, products that are cheaper under the Nectar Prices scheme will be marked with a promotional label. If you're shopping online, they'll be marked with a purple box above the product, and the description will display the Nectar price and the regular price.
Sainsbury's will also continue to offer additional weekly personalised discounts through its separate (though very similarly named) 'Your Nectar Prices' scheme. This is available to loyalty card-holders who use 'SmartShop', which allows you to scan and bag your shopping as you go around the store. These discounts won't be offered on top of Nectar Prices – you'll either get one or the other, or – of course – no offer.
How to get Sainsbury's 'Nectar Prices'
If you already have a Nectar card, here's how to benefit from Nectar Prices:
- In-store: Scan your Nectar card or app at the checkout and the discount will be automatically applied.
- Online: First, sync your online Sainsbury's account with your Nectar card (if it isn't already). To do so, log into your Sainsbury's account online, go to 'My Account' and then click on 'Nectar Card'. You can then click on 'add my Nectar card' and you'll be asked to input your Nectar card number.
The discount will then be automatically added at the checkout stage on each eligible item in all future shops, and will also be shown on your receipt.
If you don't have a Nectar card currently, you can sign up for free. You can do this on the Nectar card website or by downloading the Nectar card app.
How Sainsbury's Nectar Prices compare
Sainsbury's 'Nectar Prices' scheme is very similar to Tesco's existing 'Clubcard Prices' scheme, though when looking at the two schemes side by side, Sainsbury's appears to have fewer discounts on its own-branded items.
Our price spot-check of 25 items revealed that 10 were cheapest after Nectar Prices discounts, and six were joint-cheapest, matching prices from other supermarkets. Yet we found that nine items were cheaper at rival supermarkets. We've added a selection of these spot-checks in the table below.
Of course, prices can quickly change, and this is only a snapshot, so you'll need to check for yourself how deals stack up – see our Supermarket shopping guide for ways to compare the cost of your trolley. But if you're planning to shop at Sainsbury's anyway, it's worth getting a Nectar card to benefit from any discount.
Item | Regular Sainsbury's price | Nectar Prices price | Discount | Tesco Clubcard Prices price | Cheapest we found elsewhere |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Where Nectar Prices were cheapest | |||||
Cadbury Twirl, multipack, x4 | £1.50 | £1.25 | 17% | N/A | £1.34 (Bother) |
Lynx Africa body spray, 250ml | £5 | £3 | 40% | £3.50 | £3.35 (Asda) |
Nescafe Gold Blend instant coffee, 200g | £8.10 | £4 | 50% | N/A | £5.50 (Poundland) |
Pringles Salt and Vinegar, 200g | £2 | £1.25 | 38% | £1.80 | £1.85 (various stores) |
Purina One Sensitive Cat dry food (turkey), 2.8kg | £17.50 | £14.75 | 15% | N/A | £17.50 (Tesco) |
Schweppes Canada Dry Ginger Ale, 12x150ml | £5.55 | £3.75 | 32% | N/A | £5.50 (Asda) |
Walkers Quavers multipack crisps, 6x16g | £1.95 | £1.35 | 30% | £1.50 | £1.75 (various stores) |
Yorkshire Tea, 240 tea bags | £6.30 | £4.75 | 25% | £4.80 (210 tea bags) | £5 (Asda) |
Where Nectar Prices could be price matched elsewhere | |||||
Aperol Aperitivo, 70cl | £16 | £10 | 38% | £13 | £10 (Amazon) |
Belvita Apple and Pear Multigrain Crunch, 225g | £2.75 | £1.75 | 36% | £1.75 | £1.75 (various stores) |
Domestos Power Foam cleaner spray, 450ml | £3 | £2 | 33% | £2.50 | £2 (Ocado) |
Napolina Spaghetti, 500g TABLE_CELL_STYLE | £1.50 | £1.25 | 16% | £1.25 | £1.25 (Asda) |
Pimms No.1, 1 litre | £22 | £15 | 32% | £15 | £15 (Amazon) |
Where Nectar Prices could be beaten | |||||
Lloyd Grossman Tomato and Chilli pasta sauce, 350g | £3 | £1.75 | 42% | £1.75 | £1 (Poundland) |
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream, 15ml | £12 | £6.50 | 45% | £6.50 | £6.49 (Amazon) |
Prices correct as of 11 April 2023, via Trolley.co.uk.
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