Yes Jane the Boots card is amazing. I don't shop at Boots much but had managed to acquire £60 worth of points without seeming to have spent very much at all
I shop in M&S even less, but last time I went in, I bought some children's clothes and got a £5 discount with my receipt, which promptly went towards a very nice summer coat. So you don't have to have the Sparks card to get discounts anyway
Washing bio gel or quid in the drum