Kroger ending doubles/triples in Houston market

I am fielding a lot of inquiries as to where I have read this information and how I know this without a link to a source.  I have to tell you, I received a letter from Kroger about these changes and I will cut and paste the letter below for your reference.  Hope this clarifies some of the questions and conerns you have:

Good Afternoon, Stephanie,

It’s come to our attention that you may be receiving questions about our new coupon policy and are uncertain how to address these inquiries. As we prepare to notify households by mail of the discontinuation of our double/triple program, a key component is educating our front-end associates about the change to equip them to handle customer questions. Our front-end associates and Customer Service Managers (CSMs) were recently informed of the change. We are aware that this information has begun to circulate and as a result, some shoppers may be turning to you for answers and clarification about our policy. Additionally, erroneous information has been posted on other blog sites and savings forums.

We acknowledge that these are issues and questions you must address with your readers now and we welcome you to do so. We’re in the process of finalizing the new coupon policy and have decided to share it with you prior to April 5, in the meantime, the information listed below should prove helpful in responding to any questions about the matter.

Ø   As we openly shared with you on Monday at the VIBE, we absorb the cost of doubling and tripling coupons - not the manufacturers - and it’s a sizeable expense each month. Our data shows that only 7% of households take advantage of doubling and tripling. Although more costly to us a company, more than 19% of households take advantage of the fuel rewards program.

Ø  With the growing popularity of digital coupons, mobile apps and manufacturers producing coupons valued at more than 50 cents, we feel it’s an ideal time to test out a new money-saving program and discontinue double/triple.  There’s a possibility we may re-introduce double/triple by hosting special shopping events intermittently. 

Ø  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 130 digital coupons are available daily at www.kroger.com.

Ø  If you have loaded an electronic coupon to your Kroger Plus card, then the digital coupon will apply before the manufacturer paper coupon. A digital coupon cannot be removed from a transaction once redeemed.

Ø  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 Pick 6 wine discount, generic drug pricing ($4/30-day supply and $10/90-day supply), everyday 10% senior discount for shoppers who are 59 and older, and fuel rewards.

Ø  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 more than 500 participating Shell locations in the area when they earn 100 fuel rewards points.

Ø  Rewards points can be earned in the following ways:

o    Spend $100 on groceries, earn 100 points. ($1 = 1 point)

o    Spend $50 on gift cards and we double the points. (1 $50 gift card = 100 points)

o    Fill or refill 2 prescriptions at a Kroger Pharmacy. (1 prescription = 50 pts)

A more thorough outline of our coupon policy is to come; however, we want to equip you with the key messages so that you can address your readers’ concerns now. Please feel free to encourage your readers to use their coupons before the double/triple program expires on Wednesday, April 13,

If I can provide any additional information at this time, please let me know.

As always, thank you.