Loyalty programs in hardware stores: Where to save the most?

In Slovenia, where the culture of homeownership and care for the garden is deeply rooted, the demand for building materials and household products remains consistently high. A large percentage of the population lives in private houses or cottages, which creates a constant need for repairs, interior renovations and seasonal garden maintenance. For example, residents actively buy gardening equipment, seeds and landscaping materials in spring, and insulation and heating systems in autumn in preparation for winter.

Interest in DIY projects also fuels demand for tools and materials for small repairs. Even in cities, residents are equipping balconies as mini-gardens and implementing ideas for transforming space.

The market is also affected by the growing popularity of online shopping and loyalty programmes. Consumers appreciate the opportunity to compare prices in digital catalogues, receive personal discounts and advice on choosing materials. 

So how do you choose the perfect construction and building materials retailer? 

Choosing and buying building materials and everything you need for renovation is not an easy and costly business, and it is not only about money, but also about time and nerves. Therefore, before making final decisions on each item of expenditure it is worthwhile to approach the choice as comprehensively as possible.

Before you go shopping, clearly define what materials you need, if necessary, consult with craftsmen or other specialists. Often contractors give their recommendations. based on the individual project. This will help you narrow down your search and choose a specialised shop that meets your needs.

Large retailers offer a wide range of products, from cement and bricks to paint products and plumbing fixtures. This allows you to shop in one place and helps you save time and delivery costs. For the same reason, consider the convenience of the shop's location and the availability of online ordering. 

A list of additional services such as professional advice, delivery and return of purchased products, the possibility of renting transport and equipment, mixing colours, cutting materials and other customised solutions provided by diy stores, lumber stores or hardware stores near me also makes life easier. 

Also before making a final decision, analyse the pricing policy and browse the current flyers of the retailers that suit you and the payment methods available, some retailers offer instalments or payment in instalments, for example. Pay attention to possible discounts, promotions or loyalty programmes.

Read customer reviews, they, of course, can be a little subjective, but will help you learn about the pitfalls and nuances of co-operation with the retailer

This approach will help you to be reassured and ensure a comfortable shopping experience and quality materials for your project.

Where to buy building and household materials?

The building and household materials market in Slovenia is represented by both international chains and local companies.

Slovenian building supply stores

One of the market leaders is Merkur, the largest Slovenian chain of shops. Merkur catalog offers a wide range of products for building, renovation, garden and home. Another popular chain is Jager. This retailer combines supermarkets and construction shops, providing customers with everything they need for the home and garden. The company caters to locals and offers a wide range of products.

For those interested in garden, agriculture and farming products, the Kalia chain is a great choice. Seeds, plants, gardening tools and more can be found here, making the shops especially popular with gardeners. And the e-commerce tools make the range more accessible to a wide range of customers.

Finally, it is worth mentioning Inpos, a Slovenian company specialising in the sale of technical products for industry, craftsmen and home makers. In addition to physical branches, the chain also operates an online shop. In terms of specialisation, it is worth noting that the Inpos catalog includes a wide range of tools, radiators, welding equipment, lawnmowers and much more.

International retailers

Among the international players, Bauhaus and OBI are worth mentioning. These have long been popular companies in the European market.  Bauhaus catalog and OBI catalog are known for their large selection of construction and renovation products, kitchen and garden furniture, as well as a whole range of additional services and high quality products. Both retailers successfully compensate for their small network of physical branches with e-commerce - shoppers can order everything they need by opening the Bauhaus or OBI online store.

Loyalty programmes: additional benefits and perks for regular customers

Loyalty programmes are one of the most effective ways to save money. Under them, building materials and home and garden retailers in Slovenia offer significant benefits to customers, including discounts, bonus points and exclusive offers, allowing you to buy cheaper and not compromise on price and quality. 

Such programmes are widespread and popular among Slovenian consumers, especially professional builders, craftsmen and construction team leaders, for whom participation in such initiatives allows them to optimise costs and receive additional benefits. However, private customers also use such programmes, especially in the run-up to large-scale works.

Merkur card: how to maximise the benefits of your purchases

The Merkurjeva kartica zaupanja loyalty programme is a tool for private customers that turns ordinary purchases into profitable investments. To participate, simply download the MERKUR Zate application, register and immediately receive 50 points + a coupon for 10% discount on selected goods. The Trust Card gives access to the accumulation system: points are awarded for every purchase - both in shops and online.

The key feature is the quarterly discounts, the amount of which depends on the total amount spent during the period. If you spend less than €400, the points are carried over to the next year. If you spend between €400 and €1250, you get a voucher for 2% of your purchases (€8-25), between €1251 and €2500 - 3% (€37-75), and over €2501 - a minimum of €100 (4%). It's a flexible system where even moderate spending brings tangible benefits.

Cardholders also get exclusive access to special prices on selected products, special delivery and payment terms. In addition, the programme is constantly evolving and adding new bonuses - from seasonal discounts to personal promo codes, making the range truly affordable.  In this way, the Trust Card turns unavoidable costs into economic benefits.

Special conditions for business

For business customers there is Merkurjeva podjetna kartica, which turns regular purchases into tangible savings. Its main advantage is a progressive system of discounts: newcomers start with a 5% refund, and the discount can increase up to 10% when the annual expenditure increases. For example, when spending from €2000 per year, the company receives a 10% bonus, which makes large purchases especially favourable. Discounts are calculated monthly based on the current year's spend.

Companies that purchase building materials on a regular basis also get access to exclusive products with the best price/quality ratio. and professional advice on equipment selection. All of this helps to optimise costs.

Jager Club: how to turn purchases into benefits with a loyalty card

The main idea of the club is to turn every purchase into a step towards new benefits.  The main trick here is the return of money to the card after each purchase. Choosing goods from the special assortment marked on the price tags, you get a part of the spent money back. The accumulated sums can be used whenever you want: for example, to pay up to 50% of the cost of your next purchase. You can easily track the status of the refund in your personal cabinet or via notifications.

But that's not all: the programme offers a double benefit through points. For every euro you spend, you get 1 point, which can be converted into additional discounts. The weekly flyers feature ‘hit’ products - you can buy them up to 99% cheaper if you accumulate the right number of points. A separate bonus is 10% back on textiles for purchases over €20. These funds can be used for the next shopping trip within 4 months.

It is important to remember: the points accumulated during the bonus period are reset at the end of the period, but the strategic savings are retained. This motivates you to visit the shops more often and browse the Jager catalog so that you don't lose out on potential benefits.

Kalia card: gardening, gardening and building - favourably

Kalia Club unites lovers of nature and cosy home, offering members not only exclusive discounts but also personal bonuses.

Registration takes place by making a purchase, after which you automatically become the owner of a Kalia Bargain Card, which allows you to keep track of current promotions and special offers via the mobile app and the official website.

This card gives you access to special offers, favourable prices and free professional advice to help you design your home, garden and surroundings with a carefully selected product range that includes the Kalia catalog.

BAUHAUS: only for professionals

The retailer has prepared a special offer for professionals and businesses - the Bauhaus profi card. It offers a range of benefits, including discounts from 5% to 10%, the possibility of deferred payment, additional cards for employees and professional advice. In addition, large purchases become an additional benefit: for annual turnover of 7,500 € or more, the discount increases to 7.5%, and for more than 10,000 € the discount increases to 10%.

In addition, BAUHAUS guarantees the lowest prices: if you find the same product cheaper within 14 days of purchase, the shop will offer it at a 12% discount. All purchased tools and electrical equipment come with a 5-year warranty. And special terms of transport rental and delivery make cooperation even more favourable

How to choose the best loyalty programme from home improvement stores

Choosing the best loyalty programme is the key to getting the most out of your shopping experience, especially for building materials and home and garden products. It's important to assess whether the programme meets your needs by offering real discounts, bonuses and special terms and conditions.

Ease of use plays a crucial role: the clearer the system for accruing and deducting points, the easier it is to take advantage of the benefits. Modern technologies make the process even more convenient, allowing you to track your balance and current offers in mobile applications or online accounts.

A personalised approach on the part of the merchant significantly increases the value of the programme - personalised promotions and special offers offer much more benefits because they are tailored to your area of interest. Regular communication is also important: timely notifications about discounts and bonuses help you not to miss out on profitable opportunities.

When choosing a loyalty programme, it is worth considering not only the size of discounts, but also the general level of service, so that the shopping process was not only economical, but also pleasant.

Where to find all catalogues and discounts in one place?

Searching for favourable offers can be time-consuming, which today is an unacceptable luxury for many people. Fortunately, modern technology comes to the rescue.

Instead of browsing dozens of websites, or worse, going around the shops and shopping centres in the area in search of promotions, you can simply open the page geobuyer.si and get all the information you need in one place. The platform collects all up-to-date catalogues of leading shops and malls, allowing shoppers to instantly find the best prices and discounts in their area.

A blog with tips complements the functionality of the platform, helping to make informed decisions. Articles on how to choose quality products or recognise bargain promotions make shopping an informed experience. This is especially important for those who value rational purchases and seek to avoid impulsive spending.

Stress-free shopping is the main result of using Geobuyer. The platform integrates all stages: from searching for products to analysing prices and receiving expert advice. Thanks to this, you will not only save money, but also enjoy shopping, turning a routine into a quick and enjoyable activity.