Why we’re sitting on £1billion of unspent shop loyalty points

DON’T waste time scrabbling down the back of the sofa for lost pennies and pounds to get through this costof-living crisis Christmas.

You may already be sitting on a source of cash you’ve saved without even thinking about it.

A new survey estimates that consumers in the UK hold about £1billion in loyalty card points – almost £19 for each adult on average.

Three quarters of people questioned see themselves as ‘savvy shoppers’ – and even more are signed up to loyalty schemes.

Yet only one in five check loyalty points weekly, and one in ten has never even checked how much the points are worth.

Only 24 per cent of the people questioned in the survey for the Co-op will use the loyalty-card points they have saved this year. Yet most are still worried about being able to afford Christmas.

The research found that more than 37 per cent of British consumers have said they are already nervous about the run-up to the festive season.

The research revealed more than seven million people started saving for Christmas in September.

And more than 80 per cent of those polled admitted to approaching their food shopping differently in the run-up to this Christmas, with 25 per cent now buying fewer branded products. The research comes after supermarkets introduced Christmas products early to help consumers ease the cost-ofliving crisis.

Marks & Spencer released its full range of decorations online in September to help spread the cost of Christmas.

Some retailers decided to remove their minimum online spending caps as well as extend their policies for returns.

Sainsbury’s reviewed its returns policy to reassure customers they can shop earlier and know any unwanted gifts can be returned. Customers will have until January 31 to return unwanted items – the usual time is 30 days.

John Lewis extended its returns period until January 28.