Health and beauty retailer Superdrug is now offering shoppers a loyalty card that also serves as a compact vanity mirror in a bid to better understand shopping habits whilst rewarding customers with loyalty points which can be redeemed for discounts against new purchases.

The scheme was launched on the 11th of May and shoppers can now pick up a Beautycard in store. Presenting the loyalty card at the point of sale allows customers to earn 1 point for every £1 spent, which can then be redeemed in 100-point batches which are worth a £1 discount from further purchases – equivalent to a 1% cashback rate.

Superdrug Beautycard vs Boots Advantage Card

The launch of the Superdrug reward programme has been seen as a move to rival the Boots Advantage Card loyalty scheme, which has a similar points based collection system that can be redeemed on selected products and gifts – however there are a few differences, which are as follows:

• The Boots Advantage Card scheme earns 4 points for every £1 spent, with each point worth 1p on redeemable products – equivalent to a 4% cashback rate, making it 4x times as generous as the Superdrug Beautycard.
• The Superdrug Beautycard points can be reclaimed as a discount (in multiples of 100 point batches) as part payment towards nearly any purchase with the remainder paid in cash, whereas the Boots Advantage Card requires accumulation of points to redeem the full value of the reward -  and which is restricted to those products offered by the Boots Advantage scheme.

Overall, the benefits of either loyalty card scheme should be balanced and judged on the basis of a like-for-like comparison by calculating the final purchase price minus the loyalty points discount – after performing a price check at both Superdrug and Boots stores to determine the best deal.

In perspective, the benefits of using the loyalty cards is ultimately a win for the consumer as it offers something for nothing on your purchases.  Superdrug will also learn about customer buying patterns and preferences and be able to better target promotions to card members.

The choice of name for the ‘Beautycard’ may prove to be a slight limitation or lead to a reduced uptake among male members of the population.  The Superdrug Beautycard is also trying to win its way into handbags and pockets by serving a practical function as a compact mirror.

Beautycard Promotion

As an introductory offer, the Beautycard can be used to earn 10 points for every £1 spent for a limited time only (expires 07 June 2011).

However, Superdrug will also feature the chance to earn double and triple points or more on special promotional products which are refreshed every 4 weeks.

The Beautycard “Smallprint”

Some important points to consider when committing to the Superdrug loyalty scheme, the Beautycard FAQ states that you must have used your Beautycard within the last 12 months in order to keep your account open and thus avoid losing your points – furthermore, points accrued must be spent within 24 months.

There are some exceptions as to what you can earn points from and spend points on, which includes:  “stamps, mobile top-ups, prescription medicines, infant milk formula and the purchase of gift cards.”

Related Sites

• http://www.superdrug.com/

Wintry weather conditions has prompted the main supermarket chains and online shops to suspend online orders coming from Scotland, including Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s and internet superstore Amazon.co.uk, citing the adverse weather which brought transport links to a halt last week.

With the Christmas holiday season being one of the busiest times of the year for shopping and an estimated £6.4bn spent over the period, many of the main supermarkets and online stores have been struggling to keep up with deliveries  and the backlog that built up because of the disruption caused by the weather.

Mail couriers such as Parcel Force and Home Delivery Network were among those affected, with HDN stating deliveries were being limited or delivered later than normal, while courier Yodel was fighting to clear a 2 week backlog.

Scotland Deliveries Affected

Current information on stores which have been affected in taking orders from and delivering to Scotland and some parts of north east England:

• Asda Direct states it is unable to deliver large items such as furniture  in time for Christmas, and orders for in-store collection have been halted in the run up to 25 December.
• Amazon deliveries have faced similar disruptions and are being delayed in the run up to Christmas.
• Boots suspends guaranteed Next Day delivery service but standard delivery service and in store collection services are still available.
• Firebox cannot guarantee Next Day deliveries.
• Marks and Spencer is no longer taking orders with home deliveries for Scotland, citing a week-long backlog
• Sainsbury’s temporarily suspends its standard delivery service for Scotland and some parts of north east England.
• Tesco halts all new orders from Scotland and the Scottish Isles providing similar reasons including “..a build-up of orders. However, if you have already placed an order we will do our very best to deliver your items as soon as possible.” Grocery deliveries are not affected.

The current weather forecast predicts more heavy snowfall across much of the country in the coming days, which will likely affect delivery services even further.

If you are out hiking in the outdoors, then having a sturdy and dependable pair of boots can help you across the terrain safely and comfortably.  Therefore, hiking boots can be one of your most important hiking gear equipment; so it pays to do your research when looking for the best hiking boots.

Hiking boots are purpose made footwear for the popular activity of hiking. The quality and durability of your hiking boots play a significant part in your ability to travel faster and more safely across distances. Hiking boots are specifically constructed to provide comfort for walking through rough terrains, and protect the wearer’s feet against the elements; water, mud, rocks, and similar obstacles in the wilderness. Hiking boots are typically also designed for other outdoor sports and activities such as backpacking, climbing, mountaineering, trail running, hunting, and also for general and casual outdoor wear.

Hiking boots are made to support the ankle so as to avoid twisting the ankle while walking but also to avoid restricting or hindering the movement of the ankle in any significant manner.  Hiking boots also have to be fairly stiff to support the foot. A properly fitted boot and the use of friction-reducing patches applied to affected areas can also help ensure protection against and minimize blisters and other discomforts that are typically associated with long hikes on rugged terrain and landscapes.

Buy the best Hiking Boots

You can buy the best hiking boots online from tried and tested hiking brands, in a variety of designs and styles and constructed of a mix of materials.  Here are some of the most searched for hiking boots online.

Buy Hiking Boots

• Hiking Boots
• Mens Hiking Boots
• Walking Hiking Boots
• Womens Hiking Boots
• Ladies Hiking Boots
• Waterproof Hiking Boots
• Leather Hiking Boots
• Salomon Hiking Boots
• Boys Hiking Boots
• Gore Tex Hiking Boots
• Kids Hiking Boots
• Childrens Hiking Boots
• Meindl Hiking Boots
• Lowa Hiking Boots
• Gortex Hiking Boots
• Zamberlan Hiking Boots
• Vasque Hiking Boots
• Swiss Hiking Boots
• Trezeta Hiking Boots
• Demon Hiking Boots

Buy cheap Ugg boots online when you compare prices from top fashion outlets and shoe retailers.  Uggs are unisex sheepskin boots with a wool lining on the inside and a tanned outer surface.

You can find cheap Ugg boots in a variety of different colours and styles. Ugg boots are produced by a number of manufacturers and are available to buy from a variety of stores.  Sheepskin has a natural insulative effect and provides thermostatic properties to the boots.  Ugg boots usually have thick fleece fibers on the inside that allow air to circulate and keep the feet at body temperature, which often allows ugg boots to be worn without socks even in relatively cold weather.

Here are popular Ugg boot styles and varieties among shoppers:

1. Ugg Boots
2. Pink Ugg Boots
3. KiDS Ugg Boots
4. Cardy Ugg Boots
5. Womens Ugg Boots
6. Short Ugg Boots
7. Classic Cardy Ugg Boots
8. Mini Ugg Boots
9. Grey Ugg Boots
10. Ugg Leather Boots
11. Tall Ugg Boots
12. Ugg Ultra Tall Boots
13. Black Ugg Boots
14. Baby Ugg Boots
15. Mens Ugg Boots
16. Knitted Ugg Boots
17. Authentic Ugg Boots
18. Classic Short Ugg Boots
19. Bailey Button Ugg Boots
20. Ugg Sheepskin Boots
21. Brown Ugg Boots
22. Ugg Boots Classic Short
23. Classic Mini Ugg Boots
24. Gold Ugg Boots
25. Classic Tall Ugg Boots
26. Classic Tall Ugg Boots Chestnut
27. Original Ugg Boots
28. Classic Ugg Boots
29. Sand Ugg Boots
30. Purple Ugg Boots
31. Sunburst Ugg Boots