Choosing a Supermarket in the UK? Features and Membership Comparison of Major UK Supermarkets

Living away from parental support, international students need to learn to live independently, which includes regular visits to UK supermarkets for daily necessities. When thinking of UK supermarkets, Tesco immediately comes to mind. However, with more than ten options to choose from, each UK supermarket offers distinct membership benefits. It's crucial for students to be shrewd consumers, making comparisons among these supermarkets a necessary skill. Cyclopes compares several well-known UK supermarkets to help you 'save every penny possible'.

Source: Freepik

With a plethora of choices, consumers not only compare prices among UK supermarkets but also their membership benefits. These may include exclusive discounts, coupons, points rewards, and cash vouchers. Below are four major UK supermarket chains and their member benefits, which can help reduce living expenses for students.

As one of the top three supermarket groups globally, Tesco has over 3,000 stores in the UK alone, making it one of the largest chains. Not only does Tesco have the most branches in the UK, but it was also the first supermarket in the country to introduce a membership system. Tesco offers two membership options: a free standard membership and a paid premium membership.

Standard members enjoy member pricing on selected products and earn 1 point for every £1 spent, redeemable for a £1.5 cash voucher for every 150 points (a 0.1% rebate rate). Premium members enjoy all the benefits of standard membership, plus two additional 10% discount coupons per month, with a maximum spend of £200 per transaction, meaning a transaction over £100 can offset the cost of premium membership. Note, this offer is only available in physical stores.

In addition to a wide range of benefits for members, Tesco's business scope includes Tesco Extra, Tesco Superstores, Tesco Metro, Tesco Express, Tesco Mobile, and Tesco Bank services.

Source: iStock

Sainsbury’s, the UK's second-largest supermarket chain, offers attractive benefits with its Nectar membership card. Shoppers earn 1 point for every £1 spent, with every 500 points redeemable for a £2.5 cash voucher (a 0.05% rebate rate). If shoppers install the supermarket's mobile app, personalized offers based on shopping habits, such as additional discounts on specific products, are provided.

Points can be earned not only in the supermarket but also at Sainsbury’s partner merchants, which number over 350, including British Airways, Expedia, Esso petrol stations, H&M, and more. Shoppers simply present their Nectar card or mobile app to earn points.

Additionally, Sainsbury’s offers a Sainsbury’s Bank Nectar credit card. For purchases at specified merchants and payment with this card, shoppers can earn up to 3 points for every £2 spent, and 1 point for every £5 spent at other merchants.

Asda, a subsidiary of the American company Walmart, ranks just behind Tesco and Sainsbury's. Its unique feature is that it offers cash rewards to shoppers, a departure from the usual practice of other supermarkets that provide cash vouchers or points.

Asda's membership program is free, and members who purchase 'Star Products' receive a 10% cashback on the price, automatically stored in their account. For 'Super Star Products', additional benefits are available. As offers change periodically, check their website for the latest information.

Source: iStock

Morrisons, another common UK supermarket, offers a straightforward More Card membership application process. Applicants simply provide their email and address online to receive an electronic More Card, with physical cards available upon request. By scanning the membership barcode at checkout, all benefits and rewards are stored in the member account.

Morrisons regularly issues exclusive coupons to More Card members, offering substantial savings. In addition to exclusive coupons, shoppers also earn points for purchases, receiving 5 points for every £1 spent. Additional points can be earned on specific products. Once 5,000 points are accumulated, members can redeem a £5 cash voucher in the app.

Source: Freepik

UK supermarkets offer more than just Tesco, with enticing membership benefits at other supermarkets as well. It's often said, 'every little helps' – so students are advised to compare product prices across different supermarkets to save money in the long run, lightening the burden of living expenses. For more information on studying in the UK, stay tuned to Cyclopes for diverse study abroad information.