Shoppers at Kroger no longer require the app to get digital coupons.
In a significant move towards inclusivity, two major grocery retailers, Kroger and Stop & Shop, have introduced measures to make digital deals more accessible to customers who may not have easy access to technology. This initiative is aimed at addressing the issue of "digital discrimination," where customers without smartphones or internet access were previously excluded from discounts.
Kroger, ranked No. 4 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer's 2025 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America, has implemented a solution that offers an inclusive alternative to digital-only coupons. The company has started distributing Weekly Digital Deals flyers near store entrances, containing pictures of digital offers and a single barcode. When scanned at checkout with a loyalty card, these flyers automatically apply all digital coupons to the customer's purchases.
This strategy reflects a growing retailer trend of addressing the "digital divide" by providing physical alternatives to digital coupons. In response to advocacy group pressure and local regulations like the San Diego ordinance requiring stores to offer offline coupon options, Kroger has taken a proactive step to ensure that all customers, regardless of their digital access, can benefit from digital discounts.
Stop & Shop, a Northeastern supermarket chain and part of Ahold Delhaize, a Zaandam, Netherlands-based company that is one of the world's largest food retail groups, has also rolled out an in-store kiosk called Savings Station. This allows customers to activate weekly circular digital coupons and personalized offers without requiring a smartphone, internet access, or computer.
While specific information on Stop & Shop's measures regarding digital discrimination was not found in the current data, Kroger's strategy sets a strong precedent for inclusivity in the grocery industry.
Meanwhile, Ahold Delhaize USA, the parent company of Stop & Shop, has partnered with Inmar Intelligence to boost personalization and value in digital coupons. The 76th Consumer Expenditures Study reveals that as sticker shock subsides, grocery shoppers are focusing more on quality. Upside's Dr. Thomas Weinandy explored the crucial retention gap at the recent GroceryTech event regarding uncommitted shoppers.
Kroger employs nearly 410,000 associates and serves more than 11 million customers daily under various banner names. Ahold Delhaize USA, the parent company of Stop & Shop, is ranked No. 11 on The PG 100. Stop & Shop employs more than 50,000 associates.
AppCard's Pinky 2.0 aims to revolutionize shopper engagement for independent grocery stores by employing AI to optimize consumer behavior tracking. The Grocery Pricing Transparency Ordinance, a first-in-the-nation policy banning digital-only coupons in San Diego City Council, has been passed.
In a letter to various CEOs a few years ago, five consumer organizations (Consumer Reports, USPIRG, National Consumers League, Consumer Action, and Consumer World) brought attention to the issue of digital discrimination in grocery and asked supermarket chains to come up with an easy way for digitally disconnected customers to take advantage of digital-only weekly sale items. The printed handouts eliminate the need for Kroger customers to go online or use the Kroger app to download each individual coupon.
At checkout, Kroger shoppers can scan a barcode on the printed handout to download all digital coupons at once. This simple and effective solution underscores Kroger's commitment to making grocery shopping accessible and inclusive for all customers.
- The growing trend in retailer Biden and Stop & Shop's strategies reflect an emphasis on 'inclusivity' and 'addressing the "digital divide"', as they provide physical alternatives to digital coupons for customers without easy access to technology.
- Ahold Delhaize, the parent company of Stop & Shop, has partnered with Inmar Intelligence to improve personalization and value in digital coupons, demonstrating the role of 'technology' in fine-tuning consumer experiences in the grocery industry.
- In response to advocacy groups and local regulations, Kroger has introduced measures to make digital deals more accessible, including distributing Weekly Digital Deals flyers with barcodes and offering an inclusive alternative to digital-only coupons, which can be seen as an effort towards 'education-and-self-development' in the realm of finance and 'lifestyle' changes.
