Sainsbury's Nectar card warning

Sainsbury's shoppers who hold a Nectar card have been issued a warning - as a study showed they could be paying £615 more a year compared with a non-cardholder.

The research, carried out by consumer magazine Which?, found that Nectar cardholders paid an average of £3,186 a year on their groceries, compared with £2,571 for those who didn't have a card.

Which? said the difference was due to a number of factors, including the fact that Nectar cardholders are more likely to shop at Sainsbury's, where prices are generally higher than at other supermarkets.

They are also more likely to buy branded products, which are typically more expensive than own-brand products.

Additionally, Nectar cardholders are more likely to take advantage of promotions and discounts, which can lead them to spend more money than they would otherwise.

The findings have prompted Which? to warn Nectar cardholders to be aware of the potential costs of using the card.

"Our research shows that Nectar cardholders could be paying hundreds of pounds more a year on their groceries," said Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and services at Which?.

"If you're a Nectar cardholder, it's important to be aware of the potential costs and to make sure you're not spending more than you need to.

Here are some tips to help you save money on your groceries:

• Shop around at different supermarkets to compare prices.
• Buy own-brand products instead of branded products.
• Take advantage of promotions and discounts, but don't let them tempt you to spend more than you need to.
• Use a budgeting app to track your spending and make sure you're not overspending.
• Consider switching to a different loyalty card scheme that offers better value for money.

If you're not sure whether a Nectar card is right for you, it's worth doing some research to compare the costs and benefits before signing up.

Ultimately, the best way to save money on your groceries is to be aware of your spending and to make sure you're getting the best possible value for money.