By Ashley Bates/staff writer
Today a new coupon policy at all Publix Super Markets took effect. The new policy was originally released on May 14 but took some time for signage and implementation.
Brenda Reid, Media and Community Relations Manager for Publix Super Markets, said the new company protocol will make all stores uniform on the coupon policy.
“Publix updated the policy so that our customers would have a consistent shopping experience when they use coupons at our stores,” she said. “It also allows our associates to better serve our customers by having the same guidelines regardless of the store location.”
The new coupon policy states:
“Publix accepts manufacturers’ coupons (limit one per item), Publix coupons (originals only-no copies), valid Internet coupons, and coupons from nearby competitors identified by each Publix store. (Competitor names are posted at each Publix store.) We will accept coupons from competing pharmacies for prescriptions only. We will not accept percent-off-items or percent-off-total-order coupons. We will only accept coupons for identical merchandise we sell. Acceptance is subject to any restrictions on the coupon and we reserve the right to limit quantities. Manager approval is needed for individual coupons above $5.00. For a buy-one-get-one free (BOGO) offer, each item is considered a separate sale. We will accept a manufacturer’s coupon and either a Publix or a competitor coupon on the same item. Dollars-off-total-order coupons will be limited to one Publix and one competitor coupon per order. The order total must be equal to or greater than the total purchase requirements indicated on the coupon(s) presented.”
Kroger changed its coupon policy on April 13 in its Greater Houston area stores.
According to www.kroger.com, “Kroger stores will discontinue the double/triple coupon program on April 13. We are in the process of finalizing the new coupon policy and will share this with local customers when it becomes effective.”
Kroger has implemented a more digital couponing and money saving system in the Houston area.
“We will still continue to accept coupons at face value. Part of the new policy states there is a limit of one electronic or paper manufacturer coupon per item. The opportunity to stack is no longer available. A digital coupon and manufacturer paper coupon may not be combined on the purchase of a single item. More than 100 digital coupons are available daily at www.kroger.com,” the website said.
“If you have loaded an electronic coupon to your Kroger Plus card, then the digital coupon will apply before the manufacturer paper coupon.
In addition to accepting coupons at face value, Kroger still offers a number of ways to save. We saved Texas shoppers more than $25 million in 2010 through different programs, including the generic drug pricing ($4/30-day supply and $10/90-day supply), fuel rewards, everyday 10 percent senior discount for shoppers who are 59 and older and our pick 6 wine discount. Also, Kroger customers will continue to receive Loyal Customer Mailings that include coupons tailored directly to the products they buy most.
Through the fuel rewards program, shoppers save 3 cents per gallon everyday at Kroger Fuel Centers. There are 67 Kroger Fuel Centers in Greater Houston. Customers can save 10 cents per gallon at Kroger Fuel Centers and at more than 500 participating Shell locations in the area when they earn 100 fuel rewards points. Kroger 123 Rewards MasterCard holders continue to save 15 cents per gallon on fuel at Kroger.
Rewards points can be earned in the following ways:
— Spend $100 on groceries, earn 100 points. ($1 = 1 point)
— Spend $50 on gift cards and we double the points. (1 $50 gift card = 100 points)
— Fill or refill 2 prescriptions at a Kroger Pharmacy. (1 prescription = 50 pts).”
