Waitrose and KidStart team up to give families a boost
Welcome news for parents - they can now save for their children's future by shopping at Waitrose.com
Waitrose and family savings pioneers KidStart.co.uk have today announced a new socially responsible partnership to offer parents up to 1.2% money back when they shop for their groceries at Waitrose.com. This money is saved for their children to help with future expenses such as University fees, setting up home or even just topping up pocket money.
The average family spends £83.30 per week on food and drink ? that's potentially £268 million per year worth of savings!*
Speaking for Waitrose.com [Simon McTiernan, Online Marketing Manager]:
"Waitrose.com is pleased to be partnering with KidStart, giving parents the knowledge that a percentage of everything they spend on their online weekly shop will be saved for their kids futures."
A recent YouGov poll commissioned by the Institute for Public Policy Research on young people and savings discovered millions of young people are not saving enough and many would not be able to withstand the financial shock of losing their jobs let alone building up a pension pot or saving for a deposit on a home.
Founded by parents for parents, KidStart aims to help by giving back a little on everything a family needs so that they can build up a nest egg for their kids' futures. Since its launch three and a half years ago, KidStart has helped thousands of families put aside millions of pounds through its unique "save as you shop" approach.
KidStart member Emma Butler from Marlborough:
"I have been using KidStart for a few years now and have managed to save a significant amount for my children. I've told my family all about it and they now use KidStart allowing their savings to go to my children as well ? their grandparents particularly love the opportunity. And it's so easy to use.
I have the site saved on my computer and automatically use it for all my online shopping from food to clothes to holidays. They are purchases that I have to make but with the added bonus of saving at the same time."
Under the new partnership, KidStart members who shop for groceries at Waitrose.com will receive 1.0% back for their children on all orders over £50, rising to 1.2% back on orders over £100 to help out larger families. Members will also have access to unique offers, recipes and other bespoke content.
About KidStart
Launched in 2008 and FSA authorised, KidStart is a free shopping club that rewards families with money for their kids whenever they shop with any of KidStart's selected retailers. KidStart's aim is to help parents and grandparents do that little bit extra for their families in as easy as way as possible, with good quality retailers, services and with high customer service. KidStart is not a typical loyalty programme; there are no points, no membership cards, no hassle, no catches, no hidden charges. Just cash for kids, it's that simple.
Members have access to the popular family blog LivingWithKids and KidStartConnect.co.uk, KidStart's new social network for parents.
Joining is easy ? a simple process which takes no more than 5 minutes to set up ? after that KidStart automatically take care of everything else; tracking transactions, collecting savings and paying them into any UK bank or building society account of your choice. KidStart can also top up Child Trust Funds or Junior ISAs. KidStart is primarily owned by employees of KidStart and is also backed by a leading venture capital firm, Delta Partners.
About Waitrose.com
Waitrose.com is designed to give the same high standard of service for which Waitrose shops are renowned - customers can request ?personal touches' such as green bananas or extra-thick slices of ham from the delicatessen counter. The service continues to grow and now available in 152 branches, with a further 53 branches being serviced by the retailer's online fulfilment centre in Acton, West London. Minimum spend is £50 and the retailer continues to be the only online supermarket to offer free delivery on every single order.
ENDS
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Clare Scott Dryden, Marketing Director, KidStart
[email protected]
Suzanne Hetherington (nÉe Cronin)
Press Officer, Corporate, Waitrose
[email protected]
Notes to the Editors:
* Source: ONS Family Spending 2011 edition:
>> Average family (2 adult household with children) spends £83.30 per week on food and drink (£70.10 food + £13.20 drink)
>> * No. households 5,160,000
>> Households * avg annual spend food & drink * 1.2% = £268 million p.a.