Supermarkets have already begun preparing for the holiday season by offering select customers the opportunity to book their Christmas grocery deliveries in advance. Ocado is leading the charge, providing early access to Christmas delivery slots for its Smart Pass members, with other supermarkets expected to follow suit shortly. Here, we delve into the details of when and how to secure your Christmas food delivery and what other supermarkets are likely to announce their availability.
When Can You Book Christmas Delivery Slots?
Ocado has kicked off this year’s Christmas delivery slot bookings, but only for customers with a Smart Pass, which is their paid-for delivery subscription service. Smart Pass members will receive an email or SMS notification the day before they can book their Christmas delivery. Some lucky customers have already been informed that they can start booking their slots from today, September 24th. It’s essential to note that delivery slots for December 20th-24th will require a minimum spend of £90.
For customers without a Smart Pass, you’ll have to wait for Ocado’s general release of Christmas delivery slots. However, these slots tend to sell out quickly, so it’s crucial to act swiftly if you want to secure a spot. Smart Pass members who signed up before 2009 typically have to pay for Christmas deliveries during the 20th-24th December period. Nonetheless, anytime Smart Pass customers may receive a free delivery voucher. To qualify for this voucher, you must sign up through the email you receive by November 30th to receive a voucher that covers up to £9.99 in delivery charges.
What About Other Supermarkets?
As of now, no other supermarkets have opened their Christmas delivery slots. However, we will keep this page updated as soon as other supermarkets announce their availability.
Is a Delivery Pass Worth It?
If you frequently opt for grocery deliveries, purchasing a delivery pass could potentially save you money compared to paying for deliveries individually each time you shop. These passes often come with the perk of priority booking for coveted Christmas delivery slots.
How to Save Money on Your Christmas Food Shopping
1. **Shop at the Cheapest Supermarket**: It’s vital to compare prices at different supermarkets to find the most cost-effective option for your festive food shopping. Discounters like Aldi and Lidl consistently offer competitive prices, while Asda provides a good balance between affordability and a broad product range.
2. **Utilize Cashback Opportunities**: Take advantage of cashback rewards by using a cashback credit card or shopping through cashback websites like Quidco or TopCashback. Remember to pay off your credit card balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
3. **Maximize Loyalty Card Benefits**: Many supermarkets offer loyalty schemes that provide discounts on selected items and allow you to accumulate points for future savings. Make sure to explore the benefits of loyalty cards from retailers like Morrisons, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco to make the most of your purchases.
4. **Explore Christmas Saver Schemes**: Several supermarkets offer Christmas saver schemes that enable you to save gradually throughout the year and earn a bonus to spend during the holiday season. Asda, Co-op, Iceland, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco all have such schemes with bonuses ranging from 3-6%.
In conclusion, planning ahead and leveraging available discounts and rewards can help you save money on your Christmas food shopping. Keep an eye out for updates on Christmas delivery slots from various supermarkets and make the most of cost-saving opportunities to make your festive season merrier and more budget-friendly.