CINCINNATI, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is
making it easier for shoppers to save more and celebrate this holiday season
by doubling fuel discounts on gift cards purchased in its stores through the
end of the year. Starting November 1, gift cards for popular restaurants,
stores and entertainment outlets purchased in Kroger stores will accumulate
fuel discounts at double their purchased value, earning customers 10 cents off
for every $50 in gift cards.
For the first time, pharmacy customers can now earn fuel discounts on
eligible prescriptions.* When customers have two prescriptions filled at a
Kroger pharmacy, they can earn 10 cents off per gallon in fuel discounts.
Most of the fuel discount programs offered by Kroger and its family of
stores reward customers with a minimum of 10 cents off per gallon of gas for
every $100 they spend in a store. Through these expanded holiday fuel
discounts, customers can accumulate 10 cents off rewards faster through
December 31, 2008.
Customers who use a loyalty card can accumulate and redeem fuel discounts
they earn by shopping at Kroger-owned stores and participating gas stations
the retailer operates across the country. The fuel discount programs are
available and transferable at Kroger stores nationwide under the following
banners: Kroger, Baker's, City Market, Dillons, Fry's, Gerbes, Hilander, Jay
C, King Soopers, Owen's, Pay Less, QFC and Scott's stores.**
In addition, shoppers who use Kroger's 1-2-3 REWARDS(R) MasterCard can
earn discounts up to 15 cents off per gallon of gas in participating markets.
"We are offering our customers another way to help maximize their time,
travel and savings this holiday season," said Don McGeorge, president and
chief operating officer of Kroger. "Our expanded fuel discounts are designed
to appeal to shoppers on any budget."
According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, the number
one present people say they want to receive this year is a gift card. More
than half -- 54.5 percent -- of the 7,000 consumers queried in the National
Retail Federation's 2008 Holiday Consumer and Actions Survey said they would
like to receive a gift card or gift certificate this holiday season.
Kroger stores carry a variety of gift cards from a broad range of popular
retail stores, restaurants, sports and entertainment outlets including iTunes,
Bass Pro Shops, Best Buy, Limited Too, Outback, Olive Garden, Red Lobster,
Home Depot, Lowe's, JCPenney, Kohl's and Target. Kroger gift cards and select
other prepaid gift cards are not included in the special promotion.
Kroger's holiday fuel discount program is the latest in a series of
initiatives the retailer has introduced or expanded to help customers save
money on groceries, health care and other household staples in this economy.
Other programs include:
About Kroger
Kroger, one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains, is honored to
celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2008. The Company's more than 320,000
associates serve customers in 2,476 supermarkets and multi-department stores
in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred
Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry's, King Soopers, Smith's, Dillons, QFC and City
Market. Kroger associates also serve customers in 779 convenience stores, 393
fine jewelry stores and 737 supermarket fuel centers the Company operates. The
Company also operates 41 food processing plants in the U.S. Headquartered in
Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger
relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local schools and grassroots
organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about the
Company, please visit our web site at http://www.kroger.com .
*Certain programs and prescriptions are excluded. Please visit a Kroger
pharmacy for details.
**Fuel discount programs differ in some areas including Kroger stores in
Alabama, Michigan, Columbus and Toledo, Ohio metropolitan areas and Fred
Meyer, Ralphs and Smith's stores.
SOURCE The Kroger Co.
