Kroger Customers Irate Over Coupon Change

MARK HAMSTRA

HOUSTON — Kroger Co. is eliminating double and triple coupon promotions at its stores in this market, effective Wednesday, and consumers are speaking out against the change.

In numerous posts on Kroger's Facebook page, customers said they were disappointed in Kroger's decision, and many also said they prefer to use paper coupons rather than store them digitally on a loyalty card.

"Try to understand. All this upset really stems from the fact that most of us LOVE our Kroger store — we are HUGE fans — but are frustrated that the way we shop there will soon change," wrote one poster on Kroger's Facebook page. "Without doubles/triples, there's little incentive for most of us to shop there and that HURTS us. None of us really want to send our business to Walmart, but Kroger is stripping us of a vital savings tool. They say they want to save us money — they need to prove it! We love you, Kroger! Please love us back! You're hurting us in Houston!"

Kristal Howard, a spokeswoman for Kroger, said Kroger's new "fuel
accumulation program," in which customers can earn points for discounts at Kroger fuel centers, will replace the double and triple coupons.

"We are reinvesting the resources into lower prices overall," she said. "We think the new program will benefit a greater number of customers."

She said the company was aware of the outcry from customers online, but said a relatively small percentage of customers were taking advantage of double and triple coupons.

The company still accepts coupons at face value, she noted.