Nectar for Business, which was first revealed by Marketing at the end of 2003, will operate in the same way as the consumer card, with points earned through sponsors and redeemed against rewards.
Existing Nectar members will be able to register for the card and earn points from the founding Nectar for Business sponsors, which include Hertz, EDF Energy, Magnet Trade, Dulux Decorator Centres, food supplier Brakes and office equipment company Viking Direct.
The launch will be backed by a regional radio and press campaign across the country, breaking on 24 January. Ads will use the strapline "Turns the things you need into the rewards you want". One execution shows an office chair turning into an airline seat.
Nectar's regular quarterly mailing, which is sent to chosen members from its database of 13m, will include a page promoting the scheme. The 800,000 members who registered as business owners when they signed up to Nectar will also receive an insert detailing the benefits.
The programme is specifically targeting the UK's 300m SMEs, most of which are logistically unable to run their own loyalty scheme.
To complement the founding sponsors, Nectar has identified 15 sectors for further partnerships, including postal services, car sales, travel, independent retailers and pharmacists.
Nectar's head of business-to-business, Jan-Pieter Lips, said the scheme expects to sign up an additional three companies this year.
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