4IntermediateGeneralBusiness

Lidl Shoppers Unhappy After Loyalty Scheme Changes

The budget supermarket Lidl has changed its loyalty app, and many shoppers are not happy. The new points system replaces old rewards that customers loved. Some say they now need to spend much more to get the same benefits.

1 min readLevel 4May 8, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

loyalty

/ˈlɔɪəlti/

noun

A strong feeling of support for someone or something over a long time

“The shop rewards customer loyalty with special discounts.”

generous

/ˈdʒenərəs/

adjective

Giving more than what is usual or expected

“The old rewards programme was very generous to regular shoppers.”

scheme

/skiːm/

noun

A plan or system that an organisation uses, especially to give benefits

“The supermarket introduced a new scheme to attract more customers.”

feedback

/ˈfiːdbæk/

noun

Comments or opinions that people give about a product or service

“The company changed its app after receiving feedback from users.”

downgrade

/ˈdaʊnɡreɪd/

noun

A change that makes something worse or less valuable than before

“Many customers see the new rewards system as a downgrade.”

switch

/swɪtʃ/

verb

To change from one thing to another

“Some unhappy shoppers might switch to a different supermarket.”

Listen to Article

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

Lidl, the popular budget supermarket, has changed its loyalty programme. The new system is called Lidl Plus Points. It started on 5 May 2026. Shoppers now earn one point for every £1 they spend. Many customers say the new scheme is less generous.

Before the change, shoppers could get great rewards easily. They received a free bakery item after spending just £10. If they spent £250 in a month, they got 10% off. Now, a free bakery treat might cost around 70 points. That means shoppers must spend about £70 for it.

Lidl says the change follows customer feedback. The company claims shoppers wanted more freedom to choose rewards. Points can be swapped for discount vouchers or free products. Lidl is also giving 100 free points to new users. However, many shoppers feel this is a downgrade.

This debate highlights an important question about loyalty programmes. Supermarkets use these schemes to keep customers coming back. A retail analyst said the new system gives Lidl more control. But some shoppers are now thinking about switching to other stores.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
When did the new Lidl Plus Points system start?
2
Under the old system, what did shoppers get after spending £10?
3
How many free points is Lidl giving to new users?
4
Why did Lidl say it changed the loyalty programme?
5
What is the main feeling of many shoppers about the new system?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
What is the name of Lidl's new loyalty system?
2
How many points do shoppers earn for every £1 they spend?
3
What rewards could shoppers get under the old system?
4
Why does Lidl say it made this change?
5
How do some shoppers feel about the new loyalty scheme?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
Do you use any loyalty cards or apps when you go shopping?
2
What do you think makes a good loyalty programme?
3
Have you ever changed where you shop because of a loyalty scheme?
4
Do you think supermarkets should give rewards to keep customers happy?
5
How important is saving money on groceries to you?