As another retail chain announces it will be shutting some shops for good, shoppers want to know which Clintons stores are closing.

2023 is already proving to be a tough year for the high street, with popular variety goods chain B&M closing stores, as well as catalogue retailer Argos shutting some sites, and restaurants have been affected too - causing some Frankie & Benny's to close down as well.

With the cost of living crisis forcing shoppers to tighten their purse strings, it's an unforgiving climate for the retail sector at the moment. Now, Clintons is the latest company to announce store closures, and it comes after the chain was forced to shut a number of sites just a few years ago. 

Which Clintons stores are closing? Full list

1. Market Street, Bolton - TBC
2. King Street, Whitehaven - March 19
3. Mercat shopping centre, Kirkcaldy - April 8

Clintons is due to close stores on Bolton, Whitehaven and Kirkcaldy, and it is yet to confirm whether it plans to close any more shops this year. The news comes after three of its stores were permanently closed in 2022 - its Market Harborough site closed in January last year, following which the Ayr branch closed on April 12 and the Dorchester store shut down on December 29.

This is after 66 Clintons stores closed in 2019 to avoid collapse, after which the brand and its assets were bought by a new company called Esquire Retail Limited - run by the same family behind Clintons’ former parent company American Greetings.

The deal saved 2,500 jobs and 334 stores across the UK, but by January 2022 only 2,000 employees remained and 238 shops were operating. The Clintons website currently states that there are circa 225 stores now operating in the UK.

Why are Clintons closing stores?

The reason for the most recent closures has not been confirmed by Clintons, and the company is also yet to comment on the future of the staff who work in the affected stores.

However, the retail chain has struggled in recent years due in part to high business rates as well as a change in people's shopping habits. Not only has the cost of living crisis led to shoppers tightening their belts, more and more people are moving to online retailers such as Moonpig and Funky Pigeon.

These challenges are not unique to Clintons, and more high street brands are expected to announce closures over the next year.

As reported by The Guardian, 2022 was particularly tough for Britain's retail sector, when around 47 shops on average pulled down their shutters for the final time every day, and 151,474 retail jobs were lost.

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Video of the Week

Here's the latest on which Argos stores are closing in the UK and beyond in 2023.

The British high street is certainly suffering in 2023, with M&S store closures, Boots stores closing and TK Maxx stores shutting down, making many long-standing shopping destinations simply not what they used to be. Sadly adding to this decline is fresh news that iconic retailer Argos will be shutting a number of it's stores this year too. 

We share which Argos stores are closing down and the reasons behind these shops shutting in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Which Argos stores are closing? Full list

1. Argos Victoria Centre, Nottingham, England - closed January 14
2. Argos City Arcade, Coventry, England - closed January 7
3. Argos Wheatley Retail Park, Doncaster, England - closed October 27
4. Argos Bridge Street, Bolton, England - closed late 2022
5. Argos Cardiff Bay, Wales - closing July 2023
6. Argos Newport, Wales - closing July 2023
7. Argos Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland - closing March 11
8. Ashbourne Retail Park, Ireland - closing June 24
9. Athlone Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
10. Blanchardstown West End Argo, Ireland - closing June 24
11. Carlow Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
12. Castlebar Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
13. Cavan Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
14. Clonmel Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
15. Cork Mahon Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
16. Cork Retail Park Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
17. Drogheda Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
18. Dun Laoghaire Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
19. Dundalk Retail Park Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
20. Dundrum Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
21. Galway Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
22. Ilac Centre (Dublin) Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
23. Kilkenny Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
24. Killarney Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
25. Letterkenny Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
26. Liffey Valley Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
27. Limerick Childers Road Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
28. Longford Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
29. Monaghan Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
30. Naas Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
31. Navan Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
32. Omni Park (Dublin) Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
33. Portlaoise Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
34. Rathfarnham Nutgrove Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
35. Sligo Argos 4146, Ireland - closing June 24
36. St. Stephens Green (Dublin), Ireland - closing June 24
37. Tallaght Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
38. Tralee Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
39. Tullamore Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
40. Waterford Argos, Ireland - closing June 24
41. Wexford Argos, Ireland - closing June 24

Upcoming Argos store closures are taking place across all parts of the UK. Argos in Lanarkshire, Scotland is the next store to close it's doors, taking place in March 2023, with two Welsh stores in Cardiff Bay and Newport expected to close down this Summer too.

Four Argos stores have shut in big cities across England in recent months with branches in Coventry and Nottingham shutting down in January. But the real impact of Argos store closures is in the Republic of Ireland where it's been confirmed that all stores will close down for good.

The chain employs around 580 people across the Republic of Ireland. The decision to close all 34 stores was announced in mid January 2023. It was revealed that these stores will cease trading by June 24. 

A company statement continued: "Argos is committed to doing everything it can to support its people and is talking to 580 colleagues across 34 stores in the Republic of Ireland about their options."

Andy McClelland, Argos Ireland Operations Manager, confirmed that enhanced redundancy packages were being proposed for staff affected. 

"We understand this is difficult news for our customers and colleagues," he said. "As with any major change to our business, we have not made this decision lightly and we are doing everything we can to support those impacted. On behalf of everyone at Argos I would like to thank our colleagues, customers, suppliers and partners for their support to our business.”

Why are Argos stores closing in the Republic of Ireland?

Argos have explained that all stores in the Republic of Ireland are closing because the investment required to develop and modernise the Irish part of its business was "not viable".

The retailer made the decision to leave the country following "careful consideration" and a "thorough review" of its business and operations. Argos believe that the money it would have taken to develop Irish stores could be better invested in other parts of the business. 

In wake of the announced closures, the high street company have confirmed that ROI customers will not be able to place orders online or via its home delivery service after March 22, 2023.

Argos will cease trading in June 24, though some stores may close earlier than this if store tenancy contracts are up before this date.

Why are Argos stores closing in the UK?

Argos are closing stores across the UK as a result of a deal with Sainsbury's. The high street chain will open smaller branches inside Sainsbury's supermarkets instead.

By the end of March 2023, the retailer plans to have opened up 25 new kiosks inside Sainsbury's supermarkets. Subsequently, 50 standalone Argos stores will close down in the same month to make way for these new outlets.

A good example is Argo's Doncaster store, which closed in late 2022. Customers who previously shopped there can now visit the Argos branch in the Sainsbury's on Thorne Road in Edenthorpe.

"By bringing together the much-loved brands of Sainsbury’s and Argos under the one roof, our customers will be able to enjoy greater convenience as the new Argos will enable them to purchase thousands of technology, home and toy products whilst picking up their groceries," a company spokesperson said of the move.

It's understood that in a year from now, Sainsbury's hopes to have opened around 430-460 Argos branches inside their supermarkets. 

The big name supermarket bought Argos back in 2016 for £1.4 billion. Since then, the grocer has been slowly shutting standalone stores and incorporating them into their supermarkets.

As part of the move, customers can now access Argos’ Fast Track Delivery and Collection in Sainsbury’s stores.

Argos depot closures in 2023 - full details

On February 28, 2023, Sainsbury’s announced plans to close two Argos warehouse locations by 2026. This is in addition to the store closures.

The two warehouses affected are in Basildon, Essex, and Heywood, Greater Manchester. Shutting these locations down is expected to affect 1,400 staff members employed there. It's understood they have the option to find alternative roles within Sainsbury's and Argos.

Both warehouses currently serve Argos customers in the South East and North who have placed orders online.

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Video of the Week

The best artificial Christmas trees look like the real thing - but come without the hassle or price tag. We've found these artificial beauties on offer with up to 50% off at retailers like Very, Wayfair, Argos, and Homebase.

With Christmas fast approaching, many of us are getting ready to well and truly deck the halls. And high up on the Christmas decor to-do list is putting up your tree.

To find the best artificial Christmas tree for your home, first think about the space you have. Christmas tree expert David Sumner, online sales manager at Christmas Tree World, told us: “When it comes to picking the right artificial Christmas tree for your home, the most crucial thing to think about is the size of your tree," he says. “Take into account the height of the ceiling and the size of the room – you don’t want your tree to overwhelm the space, so take time to measure up.”

Next, consider what you want your tree to look like. If you’re going for fake, David suggests thinking about the appearance that you want your tree to have. "If you want a realistic model that emulates a real fir tree, look for a tree with PE moulded branch tips on the outside of the tree. Avoid solely PVC branches. Also, the fullness of the tree is important. Overall, remember that the more branches and foliage a tree has, the better for creating a bushy and luxurious appearance.”

Bear in mind, however, that artificial trees are usually made from plastic and non-biodegradable materials. Still, there are steps you can take to reduce its impact on the environment. Firstly, invest in one that will last. The longer you keep and reuse your tree, the better. So factor in price-per-use over the years rather than shopping for a bargain tree that won't fare well in the loft.

Secondly, choose an artificial tree with a classic shape rather than a quirky, on-trend Christmas tree. Those upside-down trees of a few years back were fun, but most people probably won't still be using them a decade from now. Finally, remember that replacing the lights on a pre-lit fake tree can be tricky. Only go for one of those if you're prepared for some serious Christmas tree maintenance every year for some time to come.

Best artificial Christmas trees 2022 - at a glance

• Homebase: There's up to 25% off on artificial Christmas trees
• Christmas Tree World: Save up to 60% on artificial trees online
• Very: Get up to £90 off select Christmas trees
• Wilko: Save up to 40% on Christmas trees
• Wayfair UK: discounted Christmas trees and decorations
• Argos: Save up to 25% on selected Christmas trees

Best artificial Christmas trees 2022

What is the best date to put up a Christmas tree?

It's really up to you when you put up your Christmas tree. If you follow the Christian faith, your tree can go up at the beginning of Advent (the period of preparation before Jesus’ birth). This is usually the fourth Sunday before Christmas, so Advent 2022 begins on Sunday 27 November.

Another popular time is 1 December. Apparently, 1 in 4 Brits has the house and tree decorated by this date, according to Tesco’s 2020 Christmas Report. It's also when the Christmas countdown officially begins with chocolate and non-chocolate advent calendars alike being opened for the first time.

Take the 12 Days of Christmas route and your tree will go up on 13 December or do as the Victorians did and wait until Christmas Eve.

If you have an artificial tree time isn’t an issue, but if you buy a real tree be aware that it will last around four weeks (six if you take good care of it), before it's time to take the Christmas tree down.

How to care for your artificial Christmas tree

Artificial trees are obviously a lot less maintenance compared to the real thing. That said, there are a few things you can do to ensure it looks new year after year.

The most important thing to consider with artificial trees is heat. We'd advise against putting your tree near a radiator - or corner where heat sits - as this can ultimately melt the PVC tips. This in turn will lead to dis-colouring and affect their ability to hold heavier Christmas baubles.

Of course it goes without saying that a careful and delicate approach to taking it down and packing it away will help its durability too. If it's a pre-lit one, be sure to untangle all leads before putting away. You'll thank yourself for it next year!

How long do artificial Christmas trees usually last?

According to Old World Christmas, the average artificial tree can last for up to six years. 

As always, if you're wanting a long-lasting product it's good to do your research before. Check out product reviews and star ratings given by other customers. Read product descriptions too, to see if there's any 2, 3, 4 or even 5 year guarantee - so you've got an idea on how long it should last. And remember that if it turns up and you're not happy with it - there's a return label for a reason.

Some retailers also offer warranties on artificial trees - so if you're about longevity, be sure to pick one up that has a 3 year+ warrantee. Just in case there's any unfortunate accidents or breakages.

Sainsbury's shoppers have been left furious over news that the supermarket is cutting its Nectar card points for some customers - starting next week.

The supermarket chain who gives loyal customers chance to earn money back from shopping in store through its popular Nectar card points system is set to overhaul its points allocation system starting next week - when shoppers who use credit cards to earn discounts will be restricted.

It follows the supermarkets' huge change to its delivery service, which it announced back in May and with the cost of living crisis taking hold families are looking to see which is the cheapest supermarket.

Anyone who uses a Sainsbury's Bank credit card to earn their points have just a week left to collect more points before their earnings will be cut in two as Sainsbury's is cutting the number of Nectar card points earned on credit card spending with just one point earned for every £2 spent - while the current scheme allows two points for every £1 spent.

The changes will apply to all Sainsbury's credit card users shopping at any Sainsbury's, Argos, or Habitat who hope to collect their Nectar card points.

It has started notifying customers by sending out letters to make shoppers aware of the changes.

But some shoppers aren't happy with the cut, one shopper tweeted, "As a long time Sainsbury's shopper I was shocked to get a letter that your credit card will be reducing the amount of @nectar points and to spend more for less rewards.

"The point of your card is to reward loyalty to your brand, not make customers turn disloyal.

“Rather than the 2 Nectar points for every £1 spent at Sainsbury’s and other Nectar retailers, it’s the other way round - 1 point for every £2 spent.

"And there’s likely to be higher interest rates on the card too. Find another supermarket retailer to spend with regularly, I’d say.”

Another unhappy customer pointed out, "More cost pressures: @sainsburys just emailed this morning to say my Nectar credit card points are going from 2 for every £1 spent to 1 for every full £2!

"Previously £9 was worth 18 points, now worth 4!! Recommendations for a new points card?”

And a third asked, "Why have you reduced the points per pound on your credit card? Now is when we need all the help we can get?”

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said, “With costs going up, we are working hard to keep prices low.

“We regularly review our offers to ensure we are making the biggest difference to the most customers and we have written to customers to explain that our Sainsbury’s Bank Credit Card points promotion is changing, for new and existing customers.

“While we understand this offer is popular with card holders, we are certain that all customers will continue to find great value and to save money with Sainsbury’s through our low priced food, competitive financial services and affordable Argos and Habitat brands.”

Meanwhile, shoppers will still get one point for every £5 spent elsewhere - and this includes Argos eBay stores, Argos Clearance stores, Argos For Business, Argos Spares, Argos Financial Services, Sainsbury’s Bank, Sainsbury’s Energy, Sainsbury’s Cafes, Sainsbury’s e-Gift Cards and any other Sainsbury’s services.

With food costing more than ever before, shoppers can use supermarket loyalty cards to cut the cost of groceries.

Families have been facing high food prices for more than a year, and may have already switched to a cheaper supermarket to reduce the cost of food shopping - if you're wondering if Aldi or Lidl is cheaper, or if Waitrose is more expensive than M&S Food, we've done the research to find out. As food prices rose by 18.4% in the year to May, according to the Office for National Statistics, it’s no wonder that families are looking for ways to reduce their food bills. And this is where a supermarket loyalty card can really come into its own. 

Kate Hardcastle MBE, retail expert and CEO of Insight With Passion, explains: “These supermarket schemes are certainly bringing more consumer benefits currently than disadvantages. It’s important to note that most large grocers are now offering preferential member pricing with more to follow suit. Whilst this is to garner loyalty, there is nothing to stop consumers from being savvy with their shopping, signing up to a number of them and using them where suits them best that week.” 

Wherever you shop, it's also a good idea to be aware of the sneaky supermarket tricks that retailers may use to encourage you to spend more money than you need to. 

Here we look at how supermarket loyalty cards actually work and analyse the loyalty schemes from the biggest supermarkets to see how they compare.

How do supermarket loyalty cards work?

Although there are variations depending on the scheme you, loyalty cards typically work in a similar way. Shoppers can earn points each time they spend money in-store or online. Points can then be used to make purchases at that supermarket or other retailers that the store has teamed up with. 

For example, if you save up enough Tesco points they can be used to buy Disney+ subscriptions, tickets to Alton Towers, and other adventures parks, and cinema tickets and passes. Similarly, with a Sainsbury's Nectar card, you can collect and spend points at a number of retailers including Argos, Esso, eBay, Caffe Nero, Habitat, and more. And, of course, you'll also receive money-off vouchers (in the post or via the app) at the supermarket. 

It's a good idea to read the small print, both when you join a scheme and when you receive points or vouchers, says James Owen, co-founder of internet marketing service Click Intelligence: “Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the program, such as expiration dates on rewards or any restrictions on redeeming points. You don’t want the effort of collecting lots of points, only to realise they've expired before you get a chance to enjoy them."

It’s worth remembering, ultimately, that loyalty cards are a great source of data for supermarkets – that’s why they want you to sign up. Collecting data on this scale helps supermarkets to understand their customers' shopping habits and identify any buying trends. This data can be used to inform everything from which products to sell and in which stores, to improving customer service and tailoring marketing campaigns.

Are supermarket loyalty cards worth it?

Supermarket loyalty cards are definitely worth having, but the value of supermarket loyalty cards depends on where you shop, how much you spend, and what rewards you are looking for. Someone spending £400 a month with Tesco Clubcard, for example, could earn £4 back each month. This could then be worth twice the value when redeemed at selected Tesco partners. For example, for every 50p you earn in Clubcard vouchers, you can get £1 off at Cineworld (on both tickets and snacks).

However, Tesco has gradually reduced the value of Clubcard vouchers in the past few years. “Shoppers are now only getting 2x face value after a recent drop from 3x and are now half of what we saw pre-2018 when you could get a whopping 4x face value,” explained Rob Burgess, editor at leisure and travel blog Headforpoints.

In comparison, a £400 monthly spend with a Sainsbury’s Nectar card would only earn you £2. But Nectar has the advantage of earning points at brands such as Esso, Argos, and eBay, so if you regularly spend at these brands, you’ll earn points faster. But Nectar has also seen a decline in available partner redemption offers – losing partners such as DFDS Ferries and all its rail partners.   

According to a study by Finder.com, 92% of adults in the UK have at least one supermarket loyalty card. The site’s research found that customers would have to spend an average of £6,998 in the biggest UK supermarkets to earn enough loyalty points to pay for just one weekly shop.

But even with loyalty schemes arguably not being as rewarding as they used to be, it’s still generally worth signing up to save what you can. If you shop at several different supermarkets, there’s nothing to stop you from holding a loyalty card for each one. 

Supermarket loyalty cards now give you access to exclusive discounted prices

Several supermarkets have recently changed their loyalty schemes to focus on discounted prices, rather than collecting points.

Tesco claims Clubcard also has 'the power to bring down prices' – as simply presenting your card at the checkout will give you an instant saving. However, some critics say that non-Clubcard prices are vastly hiked up – so joining Clubcard simply gives you access to affordable prices.

“Whilst supermarket loyalty schemes are nowhere near as generous as they were a few years ago, there is still good value on offer for shoppers who are prepared to put in some effort to work out the best value for their points,” says HeadforPoints' Rob Burgess. “Schemes are now more focused on price drops in store which are available to loyalty card holders. This is seen in abundance in Tesco for example.”

Finder tracked the loyalty and non-loyalty prices of products at Sainsbury’s and Tesco over two weeks in June 2023 and found that regular prices at Sainsbury’s were 45% higher on average than the Nectar prices. At Tesco, regular prices were 36% higher on average than Clubcard prices. 

Liz Edwards, editor-in-chief at finder.com, adds: “We also found that some non-loyalty prices were far higher at certain supermarkets than the regular price at others. For example, a 200g jar of instant coffee was on offer for £6 with Nectar, but cost £8.10 without a loyalty card,” said, “Yet at Tesco, the regular price of this item was £6 without any discount applied. This could therefore be seen as a penalty for those who don’t have a Nectar card, and begs the question: can consumers afford to shop in the UK without loyalty cards?” 

Most popular supermarket loyalty cards and the benefits you get

Here, we take a closer look at the best supermarket loyalty cards, assessing factors such as the best rewards, where rewards can be earned and redeemed, plus any additional perks.

Tesco Clubcard

What do you earn?  Collect 1 point for every £1 you spend in-store and online at Tesco and 1 point for every £2 you spend on fuel at Tesco filling stations. You can also earn points if you have a Tesco mobile contract or a Tesco Bank credit card; you’ll earn 1 point for every £1 spent on your mobile phone bill and 1 point for every £4 spent on your credit card. 

What can you use rewards for?  For every 150 points, you’ll get £1.50 worth of vouchers that you can spend on groceries or fuel at Tesco. Alternatively, points can be worth up to two times more if you spend them with Tesco’s reward partners on days out, eating out, travel and more. Partners include English Heritage, Pizza Express and Eurotunnel.

Tesco Clubcard user Rebecca Gore said: “I collect Clubcard points and usually spend them on vouchers for family days out such as Thorpe Park and Legoland – it’s better value than spending the points in Tesco. I also look for Clubcard discounts in-store when I go shopping.”

How much do you earn on a £100 spend? £1

Additional benefits?  Clubcard holders benefit from exclusive discounts on certain products in-store and online. You can request Clubcard vouchers within 24 hours via the Tesco Grocery and Clubcard app or via your online account. 

Pros: You can make some significant savings on days out and activities.
Cons: Clubcard vouchers expire after two years and cannot be reissued.

Sainsbury's Nectar Card

What do you earn? Shoppers earn 1 point for every £1 spent at Sainsbury’s in-store and online, and 1 point for every £1 spent on Sainsbury’s fuel. You can also collect points at partner brands including Argos, Esso and eBay.

What can you use rewards for?  You can redeem Nectar points in-store, either at Sainsbury’s or at partner brands, which means options are a little more limited compared to Tesco Clubcard. Each 500 points earned is worth £2.50 at Sainsbury’s, eBay, and Argos. You can also exchange 400 Nectar points for 250 Avios points which you can put towards British Airways flights.

Nectar card holder Joanna Docker said: “I spend a lot of money on petrol commuting to work so it makes sense to collect Nectar points on fuel to save some money.” 

How much do you earn on a £100 spend? 50p

Additional benefits? You can earn an extra 200 points each month by downloading the Nectar Yahoo Toolbar and using it for your online searches. Newly-launched My Nectar Prices offers discounts tailored to your shopping habits if you use the SmartShop app or handsets.

Pros: Option to collect and spend points at brand partners.

Cons: Can take a long time to build up points.

Co-op Membership

What do you earn? For every £1 spent on selected Co-op products and services, 2p will go into your Co-op Membership account. The same amount also goes to support community organisations and local causes.

What can you use rewards for? You can use your rewards on most things you buy, not just Co-op products. You can also choose to donate them.

How much do you earn on a £100 spend? £2

Additional benefits? You’ll receive special offers based on what you like to buy, plus exclusive member deals, as well as discounts on Co-op services such as insurance, funeral care and legal services.

Pros: Flexibility on where you spend rewards.

Cons: Not points-based and costs £1 to join.

Iceland Bonus Card

What do you earn? Cardholders earn rewards by saving up shopping money in advance. For every £20 saved, you’ll receive an extra £1.

What can you use rewards for? Rewards are paid into your account which you can then use along with your saved cash to pay for shopping at Iceland and The Food Warehouse.  You can save and spend online and in-store.

Iceland customer Jessica Lyons said: “I think Iceland have a good system. By preloading my card with cash I can budget for food shopping – then Iceland adds money too. It’s also a pretty cheap place to shop.” 

How much do you earn on a £100 spend? £5

Additional benefits? Your Bonus card will give you exclusive offers in-store and online, free home delivery when you spend £25 or more in-store, and the chance to win prizes.

Pros: Easy way to budget for your food shop.

Cons: Not point-based.

myWaitrose Membership

What do you earn? Rather than earning points, with this loyalty scheme from Waitrose you get personalised vouchers each week. You can also benefit from members-only pricing on a selection of products.

What can you use rewards for? Each week, you will be sent personalised vouchers which can be used for money off on selected items.

Additional benefits? You can get 5% off dry cleaning and laundry by showing your myWaitrose card when using in-store Johnsons the Cleaners services. Cardholders will also get free Waitrose Food and Waitrose Heath magazines. Any myWaitrose members who also have a Vitality health or life insurance plan can also benefit from 25% cashback on Waitrose products with the Good Health logo. Membership will also get you 10% off at Waitrose Cookery School.

Pros: Members-only pricing could see you make some nice savings on your weekly shop.

Cons: Not points-based. Also, Waitrose is the UK’s most expensive supermarket. 

Lidl Plus

What do you earn? Registering for the Lidl Plus rewards app gives you access to an array of exclusive discounts and prizes. However, as of 1 September, the scheme has changed, meaning that shoppers will need to spend more to earn the biggest discounts.  

What can you use rewards for?  You can use the reward coupons for money off your favourite products, or a free gift or money off when you reach certain spending targets. For example, spend £50 in a month and you'll get a coupon for a free in-store bakery item. Spend £100 in a month and you'll get a £2 off coupon. If you spend £150 in a month, you’ll get a coupon for a free item from Lidl’s W5 cleaning range. You’ll also earn 10% off your next shop when you spend £250 in a month (this was previously a voucher for £10 if you spent £200 in a month). 

How much do you earn on a £100 spend?  £2 (or 10% off your next shop when you spend £250 in a month). 

Additional benefits?  Exclusive discounts and prizes from Lidl partners, such as the AA and Kids Pass. You’ll also be able to access digital receipts, helping you to track your spend without collecting paper receipts. 

Pros: App-based, so you don't have to worry about forgetting your card.

Cons: Not point-based.

My Morrisons

What do you earn?  When you register for My Morrisons, you’ll get access to regular personalised offers on the things you buy the most, from digital vouchers to money off your next shop. 

What can you use rewards for?   Use your personalised offers to cut the cost of your next food shop. Join one of the My Morrisons Clubs and you'll be able to save even more with access to exclusive discounts, helpful tips and members-only treats and competitions. 

Additional benefits?  Access to My Morrisons Clubs, for exclusive member benefits tailored towards NHS staff, teachers, students and new parents. If you keep scanning your My Morrisons card, you could also bag a “Basket Bonus” which could give you £5 off your next shop, a bunch of flowers or something from the bakery. 

Pros: You can use the My Morrisons app or the Morrisons website to activate your rewards.

Cons: Not points-based.

Asda Rewards

What do you earn? Asda launched its loyalty scheme in August 2022 and to use it, you’ll need to download the app. Then, rather than earning points, you’ll earn ‘Asda Pounds’ to build up your ‘Cashpot’ every time you shop online or in-store and scan the app. 

What can you use rewards for? You can convert the money in your Cashpot into money-off vouchers which can be redeemed on your shopping in-store and online. You can earn Asda Pounds by buying certain ‘star products’ which  give your Cashpot an instant boost equivalent to 10% of the product’s price. You can also complete certain missions to earn more. These missions can range from buying a certain number of products from a particular department to spending a minimum amount over multiple visits. 

Asda customer Louise Bradford said: “I signed up to Asda’s loyalty scheme when they started it but it’s quite complicated and fiddly. I shop there anyway but it would be better if they just had cheaper prices.” 

Additional benefits? There may be the option of converting some of your Cashpot balance into a Boost voucher which will increase its value by a certain percentage. 

Pros: App-based, so you don't have to worry about forgetting your card.

Cons: Not point-based.

M&S Sparks Card

What do you earn? Rather than earning rewards, when you register for the M&S Sparks Card you’ll receive personalised offers based on the things you love, plus a weekly opportunity to have your shopping bought for you. 

What can you use rewards for? Use your personalised offers to cut the cost of your M&S shop. Plus, whenever you scan your card, M&S will donate to your chosen charity. 

Additional benefits? Every week in-store, M&S says it will treat a Sparks customer to the shopping they’re buying for free. Some customers will also be given a small gift each week, and there are various giveaways in-store and online.

“This year M&S unveiled a trial of a premium version of the programme, Sparks Plus, which offers a monthly £10 voucher, double charity donations, invites to exclusive store events and unlimited next-day delivery, on top of the regular Sparks benefits,” said Liz Hunter, director at Money Expert, “It’s worth noting that Sparks Plus costs an upfront fee of £120 a year and is only available to a small number of Sparks members at the moment.”  

Pros: You can register on the website or use the app to scan your card from your phone and keep track of your offers.

Cons: Not points based. 

Which other loyalty cards are worth considering?

The perks don't end with supermarket loyalty cards, if you are regular shopper at any of the below high street stores or restaurants, then make sure you sign up to their free loyalty schemes to bag the best benefits. 

High street loyalty schemes

If you regularly shop at Boots, it can also be worth looking at the Boots Advantage card which gives you 4 points for every £1 you spend. Each point is worth 1p and you can redeem your points in-store at any time, as long as you have enough points to cover the cost of the item. For example, you’ll need 499 points to cover an item priced at £4.99.

Superdrug also offers a loyalty card which gives you 1 point for every £1 you spend. Like the Boots Advantage card, each point is worth 1p, but unlike Boots, you can use a combination of points and cash to pay for items.

Restaurants and coffee shops loyalty schemes

Restaurants and coffee shops are getting in on the loyalty card action too. If you are a regular Starbucks visitor, make sure you register for a Starbucks Card - you get three stars for every £1 you spend. Collect 150 stars and you can get a free drink, while 450 stars will get you extra shots of espresso, selected syrups and whipped cream. With 450 stars, you'll also reach Gold Level status, which means you'll get a free drink on your birthday.

Pret Perks work in a similar way. Earn stars as you shop, and with 10 stars, you can unlock a perk.

Costa Coffee also has a rewards programme, the Costa Club. As a member of the club, you'll earn a point (or bean) for every hot or cold crafted drink you buy. Collect eight beans and you can get a drink for free.  Better still, if you buy four drinks in a reusable cup, you'll get your fifth for free. You'll also get free cake on your birthday.

If you are a regular frequenter of Nando's, it's definitely worth signing up for a Nando's card. You can earn a point (or chilli) for every £7 spend online or in the restaurant. Three chillis will unlock your first reward.

If you want to combine all your loyalty cards in one place, loyalty app Swapi lets you link all your loyalty cards in its digital wallet. You can then use it for any in-store or online purchases. You can also earn Swapi points at its partner brands.

If you're signed up to a loyalty scheme, it's worthwhile knowing which can be use to bag a birthday freebie for you and your family, a free coffee, or even a free bag of Percy Pigs!

There isn't much you can do about the rising cost of living, but you can take full advantage of loyalty cards and the different ways they can help you to save some cash. Here's how get exrta value from your Nectar card.

From sky-high petrol prices and increasing energy bills to a National insurance price hike and even the cost of stamps going up, many of us are feeling the pinch when it comes to family finance. Using loyalty cards is one way to save some money when you're shopping.

Nectar is the UK’s largest loyalty card scheme. Run by Nectar 360 Ltd, its partner companies include Sainsbury's, Esso, and eBay.

What is a Nectar card?

If you're a Sainsbury's customer, you can collect Nectar points every time you shop online or in-store. You'll earn one Nectar point for every pound you spend.

First, you'll need to apply for a Nectar card via the Nectar website. You can also apply for a Nectar card via the Nectar app or fill in one of the application forms that you'll find in-store at Sainsbury's. If you're a Smartphone user, it's well worth downloading the Nectar app. It's handy for ensuring that offers are always close at hand, instead of rummaging through a drawer at home for your card or vouchers.

You can choose whether to go for a Nectar card that fits in your purse or wallet, much like a credit card, or a digital version that you can access via the app without needing to remember to bring a physical card with you when you shop.

To collect Nectar points, simply swipe your Nectar card or scan the app on your phone when you're paying for your shopping.

How to earn Nectar card points

Sainsbury's, of course - you can collect points when you shop online or in-store. In addition, Sainsbury's will show you personalised offers on items that you buy frequently when you're a Nectar cardholder.

But you can also earn Nectar points at more than 300 other retailers including Argos, eBay, and Esso, to name just some of the brands that have partnered with Nectar. Just connect your Nectar card to your debit or credit card via your bank and use the connected card when you pay for a qualifying purchase.

At both Argos and eBay, you'll earn one point for every pound you spend when you present your Nectar card at the checkout. When it comes to refueling your car, you'll earn one Nectar point for every litre of fuel you buy at an Esso service station. And if you're a Sainsbury's Bank customer you can also earn Nectar points on products like home insurance. If you have a Nectar credit card, you can also earn Nectar points for every £1 you spend on the card.

Don't forget to connect your Nectar account to your bank or credit card, so you can earn bonus points when you shop at Nectar's partner retailers including Costa, Just Eat, Dominos, Expedia, and ASOS.

Where to spend Nectar card points

Once you've clocked up some Nectar points, it's time to think about how you plan to spend them. You can put your Nectar points towards your grocery bill the next time you shop at Sainsbury's, of course, or use them to get money off when you shop at other Nectar brand partners such as Caffe Nero, Argos and eBay. You can also spend your Nectar cards in-store at Sainsbury's or when you shop online, and also when you pay for petrol.

To spend your Nectar points, simply choose where you'd like to spend them and don't forget to swipe your Nectar card when you checkout.

If you do lots of shopping online, it could also be worth downloading the Nectar Toolbar to your web browser. You can get bonus points for doing so and the Toolbar will remind you when you're shopping online on a site where you could be collecting Nectar points.

Depending on where you choose to spend your Nectar points, you may need to convert your points into a voucher beforehand. There are more than 500 online Nectar brand partners so take your time to browse the options before you spend your points.

These are just some of the places where you can put your Nectar points to good use:

• Eurostar - Put your Nectar points towards a Eurostar escape to Paris, Brussels, Lille, Rotterdam or Amsterdam
• Argos - 500 Nectar points are worth £2.50 when you spend them at Argos
• Caffè Nero - Swap 250 Nectar points for any hot or iced drink at Caffè Nero
• eBay - Swap your Nectar points for vouchers you can use for money off at eBay
• BA - convert Avios and Nectar points when you link your British Airways Executive Club account

Using your Nectar points to donate to charity

If you've been quietly amassing Nectar points but have no real plan to spend them, you could always opt to donate your Nectar points to charity. Do note, however, that you'll need at least 200 points to do so and donations can only be made in multiples of 200.

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As the roadmap out of lockdown continues to unfold, shops have been told they can stay open until 10pm under new late night shopping laws. 

These laws have been introduced to get the high street back on its feet following a year of multiple lockdowns, where all retailers had to close their doors to customers, a setback which has resulted in an estimated loss of £27bn for stores across the country.

This new allowance will enable participating shops in England to open late six nights a week when the lockdown restrictions lift from April 12, as long as customers adhere to the new 'stay local' advice and follow social distancing rules, including those on how many people can meet indoors.

Which shops can stay open until 10pm?

These stores have confirmed they're staying open late from April 12 in England:

• Primark
• IKEA
• Argos
• Home Bargains
• Zara
• John Lewis

But it's not just the evenings which stores can open later, they can also open their doors earlier too. Shops will be able to extend their opening hours from 7am to 10pm to help customers to avoid peak times and ease transport pressures, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said, “To support businesses to reopen and recover, I’ve extended measures to allow shops to stay open for longer. This is part of a package of support to help reopen our shops and high streets safely, backed by £56m."

He continued, “This will provide a much-needed boost for many businesses – protecting jobs, reducing pressure on public transport and supporting people and communities to continue to visit their high streets safely and shop locally.”

It was also confirmed that flexible working hours on construction sites will be extended and the government will allow food deliveries to supermarkets over more time periods.

Other measures will be implemented for the hospitality industry too, who are able to open outdoor seating areas with the rule of six at the same time as the shops reopen. Under the new law, pubs, bars and restaurants can put up marquees to allow for more seating capacity and Covid-secure dining.

When are all shops opening in the UK?

All shops are opening in the UK at different times but most will reopen their doors from April 12.

Whether shops are taking part in the extended opening hours or not, they'll be allowed to open from this date under the government's plan out of lockdown.

England's non-essential stores can reopen from April 12 but click-and-collect services have been allowed to continue throughout the third lockdown.

Scotland's non-essential stores are set to reopen from April 26 under their separate lockdown roadmap. Some restrictions on retail will lift before this though, as click-and-collect services will be able to resume from April 5. Garden centres and homeware stores can also welcome back customers on this earlier date.

Wales began their reopening of non-essential retail in March, with customers once again able to purchase non-essential items from the stores that remained open throughout the lockdown and garden centres allowed to reopen. Other restrictions on stores opening will be lifted from April 12, according to First Minister Mark Drakeford.

From April 1, garden centres and plant nurseries have been allowed to offer a click-and-collect service in Northern Ireland. Much like England and Wales though, other non-essential stores will be able to reopen again to the public from April 12.

Argos shoppers are obsessed with the store's £40 pizza oven that's just like a rival version for £250.

Argos shoppers are obsessed with a £40 pizza oven which is just as good as a £250 version.

With Spring around the corner, Easter 2021 bank holiday weekend coming up and the government's  roadmap out of lockdown starting to be implemented across England, Brits are no doubt looking to update their outdoor spaces.

With the warmer weather on the horizon, shoppers are getting summer ready and these bargain pizza ovens, being sold for just £40 by the catalogue shop, are getting them all fired up for a stone baked pizza.

The new Argos BBQ pizza topper oven sits on top of a coal or gas barbecue and allows you to create authentic stone-cooked pizza prepared at home from pizza dough. Or if you don't want to make it from scratch then pick up a Zizzi pizza from Sainsbury's and pop it straight in the pizza oven.

Made from steel with a pizza stone to retain the heat, the portable Pizza Oven quickly heats up ready to cook your Italian recipes in minutes, just like they cook them in Italy. Keep an eye on the heat with the thermometer and when the pizza is ready, lift it out on the pizza paddle provided. Fiorentina, Neapolitan, Margherita pizza anyone?

The oven comes with a one-year guarantee.

BBQ fans have been raving about the product on deals website HotUKDeals, where the price has been ranked as good as the market leader from premium brand Ooni.

One shopper wrote, 'Always wanted a Ooni Pizza oven but put off by the price. This is much more reasonable.'

Another agreed and explained, 'Pizza ovens of this type are usually £70-£150 depending on brand, wouldn't surprise me to see this increase in price April/May when BBQ season starts and drop again later in the year. But at this moment in time price wise this is as good as I have seen.'

The Ooni pizza ovens start from upwards of £250 and are capable of reaching 400 degrees Celsius to cook the perfect pizza. The brand is taking orders for March and April 2021 on its website.

We desperately want to get our hands on one of these!

Aldi and Lidl are both selling air fryers for less than £40 right now.

The bargain supermarket chains are known for stocking epic money-saving gadgets in their iconic middle aisles.

While Aldi and Lidl are often subject to comparison by savvy shoppers and are each other's ultimate competition, they've both come through with a version of the same incredible product this January.

Anyone partial to a new kitchen appliance will have no doubt caught wind of the hype surrounding air fryers, thanks to their ability to cook crispy culinary treats with minimal fat and oil.

Lidl Silvercrest Digital Air Fryer

£39.99 - View at Lidl

You've likely heard of the Tefal Actifry which is a favourite among air fryer fanatics, which is priced at just £99 at Argos right now.

Now, Aldi and Lidl are offering a seriously affordable alternative with their £39.99 air fryers.

Aldi Ambiano Air Fryer

£39.99 - View at Aldi

Aldi is offering the Ambiano Air Fryer both in store and online, while the Lidl Silvercrest Digital Air Fryer is only available in shops.

The gadgets both feature digital programming screens with various modes and features, promising to cook tasty and healthy meals in no time, using the power of hot air and 75% less fat.

They've received great reviews from satisfied shoppers already.

'So easy to set up, easy to clean and first thing I tried was frozen oven chips - OMG! sooo much better than using the oven and quicker. Daughter made some fish fingers and again crispy outside and moist on the inside,' one Aldi customer penned, dubbing it a 'kitchen must have'.

'We were so impressed with this air fryer that we purchased a second. This is one of the best small kitchen appliances we have ever purchased,' praised a second reviewer.

If you want to get your hands on one, we recommend snapping one up on the Aldi website before they sell out or heading to your local Aldi or Lidl when you do your next food shop and head straight down the middle aisle.

As with most of Aldi and Lidl's most sought after releases - when it's gone, it's gone!