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Kroger launches car-buying program

Partnership with TrueCar brings customers vehicle savings, fuel rewards

Russell Redman

November 7, 2019

2 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

The Kroger Co. has introduced an automobile buying program in partnership with car price-comparison website TrueCar Inc.

Called Kroger Auto, Powered by TrueCar, the service gives the grocery retailer’s customers access to vehicle pricing information from thousands of car dealers, enabling them to easily compare prices and get guaranteed savings on new vehicles plus discounts on used vehicles.

Users can save an average of $3,400 off the MSRP for new vehicles, TrueCar said in announcing the program yesterday. The service is available to customers of the Cincinnati-based grocer’s Kroger, Dillons, King Soopers, Fred Meyer, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s stores.

Kroger TrueCar program_website banner.PNG

Shoppers who buy a vehicle through the program also receive a free Fuel VIP membership, which allows them to earn an extra fuel point for every $1 spent. The fuel rewards program normally carries a $40 annual fee.

Overall, Kroger customers will have access to more than 16,500 TrueCar certified dealers. That will enable them to see what others in their area paid for a new car they’re considering, based on recent vehicle transactions, according to Santa Monica, Calif.-based TrueCar. They also will be able to access machine learning-powered price ratings on used vehicle listings.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Kroger. As the largest grocery retailer in the country, it’s a wonderful opportunity for TrueCar to provide Kroger customers with an additional benefit that helps make their vehicle shopping experience more efficient and empowers them with price confidence,” Mike Darrow, president and CEO of TrueCar, said in a statement.

Related:Kroger recasts its brand

Other Kroger Auto member benefits for new vehicles include access to real pricing on actual inventory on dealer lots. For used cars, members can save hundreds off the list price with discounts, choose from more than 1 million vehicles for sale nationwide and access vehicle condition summaries. The complimentary Fuel VIP membership applies to purchases or new or used vehicles.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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