By Jordan Coussins Max Parry
Sainsbury’s is boosting its loyalty rewards with an exciting summer prize draw for electric vehicle owners. The retail giant is offering one lucky customer the opportunity to scoop one million Nectar points – valued at a minimum of 拢5,000 – simply by plugging in their motor. The supermarket chain has described this promotion as its largest ever prize through Smart Charge, its ultra-rapid EV charging network. Read more: Killer boy ‘played PlayStation’ after murdering teen Those hoping to be in with a chance have until July 20 2025 to participate. Entry couldn’t be simpler – EV motorists need only use a Smart Charge point, then present their Nectar card to be automatically entered into the prize draw for the bumper jackpot, which can be spent with over 500 brand partners within the loyalty programme, reports the Express . Winners can splash their windfall on weekly shopping at Sainsbury’s , items from Argos, Tu and Habitat, or transform them into Avios for air travel and Eurostar journeys. Alternatively, points can be donated to charitable causes including Comic Relief and The Woodland Trust. Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s chief property and procurement officer and managing director of Smart Charge, commented: “We’re proud to be the UK’s first EV charging service to offer loyalty rewards from Nectar. This giveaway is a brilliant way for us to further reward our loyal customers.” Since its launch in early 2024, Smart Charge has expanded to operate across more than 650 charging bays at 79 Sainsbury’s locations. The grocer maintains complete ownership and control of the charging network, which utilises 100% renewable energy and delivers charging speeds exceeding 100kW. Nectar360 MD Amir Rasekh described the scheme as “a great way to reward EV drivers through Nectar,” calling it “an excellent example of how the Nectar coalition delivers loyalty everyone loves.” However, despite this appealing offer, Sainsbury’s customers have been cautioned that they’re shelling out significantly more for their weekly shop compared to patrons of several other leading supermarkets – even with their Nectar card benefits. Fresh research from consumer watchdog Which? released yesterday has once again declared Aldi as Britain’s most affordable supermarket, with June’s findings showing the budget chain undercutting Lidl by 35p, with Asda trailing behind, followed by Tesco with Clubcard deals, and then Sainsbury’s with Nectar card pricing. The study examined a trolley of 79 items across eight major retailers, revealing Aldi as the most economical at 拢131.52, with Lidl close behind at 拢131.87 when loyalty savings are applied, and Asda at 拢144.82. Tesco customers using Clubcards would fork out 拢146.69, whilst Sainsbury’s shoppers wielding Nectar cards encounter a total of 拢148.29. This means purchasing at Sainsbury’s proved to be 拢16.77 pricier than Aldi. Furthermore, across a full year, a Sainsbury’s customer with a Nectar card would spend 拢850 more than someone shopping at Aldi for identical goods, based on Aldi’s examination of Which? ‘s data.