// British supermarkets accused of excluding elderly customers from accessing loyalty card discounts
// Both Sainsbury’s Nectar and Asda Rewards loyalty scheme require an email address or smartphone app to access the offers
British supermarkets have been accused of excluding elderly customers from accessing exclusive member pricing as food prices soar to a 45-year high.
Campaign groups argue that with many loyalty schemes requiring internet connectivity, it is difficult for the elderly to access the offers available.
Sainsbury’s Nectar scheme requires an email address while Asda Rewards customers need to use a smartphone app to access loyalty offers.
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Other supermarkets such as Morrisons and Tesco offer alternative sign-up methods such as using a home address or a phone number.
Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams told The Telegraph: “In an increasingly online world, those who do not use digital technology can feel they are being left behind.
“At Age UK we regularly hear from older people who are told that they should be doing things online and who find that because they do not use the internet, they often miss out on the best prices, loyalty discounts and rewards.”
On Thursday, Sainsbury’s revealed it would be extending its Nectar Prices initiative online “in the next few weeks” in a move to boost its value credentials.
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9 Comments. Leave new
Supermarkets should offer items in smaller quantities and singular items as they use to be sold to helpm pensioners and people that live alone. We have to buy larger quantities and freeze the rest or not buy because the items will not keep. It is a problem if you live alone and buying for one these days. Some people can’t afford to buy food in advance to freeze either.
With respect, it’s a matter of choice. They can choose to use them. They’re choosing not to have an email etc.
And Lidl.
I stopped going to Tesco when they insisted on their “Clubcard to get discount” malarkey. Sainsburys will be next on my list when they ask for a Nectar Card. Don’t want my purchases tracked, and spam in my mbx.
I’m 30 and have been using the internet all my life, I’m not sure how the elderly can still be avoiding the internet/technology even though the vast majority would have still been in work and exposed to it in the 90s and 00s. It’s now a choice and active avoidance for the majority of those ‘excluded’.
Why does everything have to be more complicated than it needs to be. Why can’t I just go back to haggling with the traders in a market and pay what it says on the price tag (back when things were more convenient). This just ends up being another reason for people to start shopping at Aldi and Lidl.
Need to check! You do not have to register the Nectar Card to get the reduced Nectar prices in store, simply swipe the card at the till! Only need to register if you want to joint the scheme and save the Nectar points!
Need to check! You do not have to register the Nectar Card to get the reduced Nectar prices in store, simply swipe the card at the till! Only need to register if you want to join the scheme and save the Nectar points!
Just would like to say that yes there are a number of older people that don’t have smart phones however there are a lot more becoming less afraid of the modern technology.