Sainsbury's has revealed today that customers redeemed 22 billion Nectar points, worth a record £110 million, in the run-up to Christmas and New Year (30th September onwards). This is up ten per cent on the previous year when customers redeemed £100 million of points. The busiest day was Saturday 22nd December when customers spent nearly £11 million of points, another record.

It is estimated that four million customers used Nectar points they had saved during the year to help pay for at least part of their Christmas shop.

Sarah Warby, Sainsbury's Marketing Director, said: "Nectar is one of the ways we help our customers to Live Well For Less so we're delighted that so many used their points to make their budgets go further and keep costs down at what can be an expensive time of year. Customers are increasingly savvy and many tell us that they save their points, using them at the end of the year to have a great Christmas and treat themselves to something special."

In February 2012 Sainsbury's announced that it had agreed a new long-term contract with Aimia, the parent company of Nectar.

Nectar is the UK's largest loyalty scheme with 18.5 million cardholders and over 11.5 million Sainsbury's customers regularly use their card when shopping with the retailer.

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