Kroger: Double Coupons Replaced With Lower Prices + Better Weekly Specials (OH & Northern KY)
Calling all you Kroger shoppers in Ohio and Northern Kentucky! Beginning on March 1st, stores in the Cincy/Dayton/Northern KY areas (110 stores total!) will be discontinuing the practice of doubling coupons. In place of double coupons, Kroger has promised lower prices and more aggressive weekly specials. For now, Kroger says that it has no plans to end the double coupon program in other markets.
What are your thoughts about these changes?! Do you think the lower prices and more aggressive weekly specials will make up for the end of double coupons?!
(Thanks to all the readers who emailed about this!)
No. They eliminated double coupons here in CA some time ago and no, I do not see much difference in prices. Only occasional good sales.
Sorry to hear it… We lost double coupons at our keogers here in Houston. They promised better ecoupons… I never saw any real change. I don’t shop Kroger much anymore.
I live in the DFW area of RD. They did away with doubling coupons last year. I haven’t shopped there much since then.
I live in Texas and Kroger does not double coupons and the prices are the same as in “double” land, ie Alabama and Georgia…so I do not think it has helped here! Even with the Mega sale, we did not get as many “freebies” after coupons as those in double land.
I live in College Station and they double coupons. Do they just pick and choose stores?
From the official PR announcements from Kroger at the time of discontinuing doubling in the Houston area, they stated that the market in that area was too competitive to continue the practice there. And considering the next area hit (that I know of) was the DFW metro area, I actually tend to believe them.
Now just about everything else I’ve heard them state (that we would see lower prices, etc) has never panned out. So I don’t really trust much of what they’ve promised.
I also currently live in College Station, but it is one of the few “market areas” around Texas ( or at least that I know of) that stills doubles or triples coupons. I know the Houston and surrounding areas no longer double. The College Station area stores seem to be an exception for some reason.
That really stinks!!! I always shop at Kroger and love the fact that when I look at my $0.50 coupon it really means $1.00. When I look at my receipt, the doubling usually isn’t much per visit but over the course of a year it can really add up!
Kroger should eliminate the double coupons in all stores not just select stores. Very unfair!!
why is it unfair?
Ummm do not agree!
I do not agree either, some states dont tax food and some states has cheaper food prices, some states has snow and some dont
Fairness has nothing to do with it…they can do whatever they want…different marketing practices in different markets is very common. And please, I can’t stand it when my kids say something is “unfair”…that’s life!
Kroger should keep the doubling of coupons in ALL of it’s stores. I hope that doubling coupons does not go away here in Nashville, TN. I pay 7.5% food tax and 9.25% non-food tax! 🙁
Can’t see how thats gonna make such a difference. I know its off subject but, I am trying to figure out how I have had the same Kroger card now for at least 8 years. Most of the time I use my phone number when checking out. I have not received any discount on gas purchases I would say at least 6 months. When I call customer service they tell me my number is registered to someone else. My phone number has never changed. I am told that I need to change my phone number in their system in order to start getting my 10cents off a gallon earnings. So all my spending credits go to someone else. Figure that one. Just wondering…
this happened to me at safeway, and guess what, its still my phone, its still my phone number but some chick named dori james still gets to use it because safeway refused to fix it for me with multiple calls. I have had the number for 11 years. I now have to use my cell phone for my club card, which really irritates me
Get a new card but don’t add a phone number. I’ve had this happen to me twice so noone can use my number.
When you use your phone number anyone who hears it or sees it can rob your points! It happened to me.
That happened to me, my number went to someone elses account. I made up a number with area code and prefix that aren’t real to use so no worries about anyone else having it
I am in Cincinnati (Kroger HQ by-the-way) and Kroger is the most expensive chain store in the area.
The notion that they are going to lower prices on multiple items is a bait and switch. I have no doubt they will raise prices to lower them (i.e. no net improvement) like Kohl’s Department stores (midwest retail chain) does on a regular basis.
I only shopped the sales anyway….this just means that I will shop there even less.
Very true. I’ve gone to Kroger’s multiple times over the past year to find a new price sign on products that says “New Low Price” only the price is higher than what it was.
That is the only reason I shopped at Kroger. I guess I will be heading back to Wal-Mart now!
me 2 meijer will double and let you stack store and manft. Also kroger is high unless they have a mega sale, and you must buy 10 items ?
Unless Meijer changed they said no to stacking manft and mperks. Unless it says store coupon
But you can stack a manufacturer’s coupon and a print store coupon (like the ones the sometimes mail out and some of the catalina’s) I believe.
My smiths doesnot double In NM. But they usually have great specials. I cannot say if doubling would make it better or not, but sale prices are for everyone, but doubling coupons is for us couponers I guess.
They’re doing this in a market to see if people complain loudly enough for them to keep it. If you want them to keep it, speak loudly! Facbook, district managers, etc.
This happened in the Tucson, AZ market. They gave the same rationale, saying they were going to offer better deals, etc. It didn’t last long. We are now back to not only double coupons, but currently all lower value coupons are multiplied up to a dollar. I believe they received a lot of complaints, especially via Facebook.
I will be shopping at walmart alot more. I shop kroger because of the double coupons.Walmart does not double.So therefore i wil be shopping walmart from now on because I will get better prices there now that kroger no longer doubles coupons.
Happy trails, Kroger. This will probably be my last week shopping with you. The Meijer in my area is cleaner, better organized, and has nicer employees. I just shopped with you because of you had just about the same prices with Mega Events and fuel points (if not better at times). But, you have broken my heart for the last time. In fact I’m not sure if I am over the one time I went on a Sunday and your sale cycle had changed to Monday-Sunday. Yep, definitely still bitter about that one.
Same thoughts here…
I will go to Meijer where they still double the first two .
They stopped doing double coupons in the HEB area in Texas a while ago. I tried shopping there a few times after that but the rude employees and non-caring management has made me change stores for good. An employee actually had the nerve to walk over to my then almost 3 year old daughter and tell her to stop singing. When I told the manager how offended I was she didn’t seem to care at all. I also didn’t notice a change in the pricing so for me I will stick with Tom Thumb and Albertsons.
I have Baker’s here, which is owned by Kroger. We have never had double couponing here. I so wish we did, but they never have and never will as far as management is concerned, because I’ve asked (more like begged!). But, even that being said, you CAN still find good deals at Kroger stores. I don’t shop there every week, but several times a month probably. You have to watch the ads and then use your coupons. You don’t get a ton for free, like all you lucky doublers out there, but every penny helps!
Guess I can stop watching and waiting for Bakers to do double coupons then!
Are you guys in omaha by chance? It’s nice to find couponers in my city.
I’m in Omaha 🙂
Yes, I’m in Omaha, too! 🙂
I’m in Lincoln!
We have Giant Eagles in our part of Ohio and they tried this and in two weeks they were back to doubling coupons- in other words Krogers DONT MESS WITH PEOPLE THAT LOVE DOUBLE COUPONS- You will lose traffic in your stores.
We have Giant Eagle here, too and I’m so thankful they still double coupons (the reason I go there in the first place). My heart goes out 2 Kroger’s customers. Sign of the times. I know their sales got 2 be suffering because of these changes…SMH
Headed somewhere else! I only shopped at Kroger b/c of sales and double coupons! 🙁
Do we have a way to access the list of stores?
Everyone in Northern Kentucky and Ohio should also have a Meijers. They still double coupons and price match! I live in central Kentucky so I should not be affected by this yet.
Meijers does not double in the West Michigan area so you are lucky.
Meijer doubles coupons here to keep up with Kroger. If Kroger no longer doubles, it won’t be long before Meijer tries to stop as well.
The only reason I shop at Kroger is for double coupons. I will go back to Walmart, however much I hate that because doubling coupons really makes a difference in my food budget. Meijers is great but 20+ miles from me in Frankfort, KY.
Without double coupons, I have no reason to prefer kroger over anything else. We have A TON of competitors here in the Cincy area. It’s an inconvenience and a big bummer. But ill adapt to the other places. Their loss.
JC Penney had the same strategy (lower prices instead of offering coupons) and I recently saw that they’re closing many stores. Once upon a time Krogers was my favorite, now I found I can get much better deals at Publix because they are more coupon friendly.
I agree about Publix. Plus the stores are much nicer and the employees are WAY friendlier.
Yeah, tell me about it. I work for JCP. Not a success.
Yeah, it seems like a cop out to me… they can promise “lower prices” and it’s ambiguous enough that they have no real recourse if they don’t because you really don’t know.
Oh Wow! I only started shopping there because of their double coupon policy. I know that if they stop double coupons at my Krogers location, I know I wouldnt shop there anymore b/c there prices without sales are too high compared to other stores I mostly shop at. Sad to hear, especially when were trying to get the best deals for less during these rough economic times.
I am in Houston, TX and Kroger stopped doubling long back. Since then I started exploring other stores in my area and am hooked to Randall’s. They have many good deals and everything is fresh and an awesome customer service and double the 1st coupon. I occasionally shop Kroger when there is good sale but have trouble with ever changing policies and expired food on the shelves.
I guess my only attraction for shopping at Kroger was double coupons and gas rewards both of which have been replaced by other stores.
I’m in Virginia but rarely shop at Kroger since they only double up to 50 cents. At Harris Teeter double up to 99 cents and Farm Fresh (part of Supervalu) 99 cents on regular day and $1.00 only on Wed. Every times Harris Teeter does super double up to $2, Farm Fresh tries to manage to do super double a few days before Harris Teeter. A couple weeks ago Farm Fresh even double up to $3 for the first time. We do have Food Lion, Walmart, and Target but they don’t double coupons. I live within 5 miles radius of these store except Kroger almost 9 miles away. Kroger’s gas is pretty cheap though compare to other around me without factoring in kroger reward discount.
My store stopped doubling recently as well. No warning. I checked out and noticed that they were not doubling. The cashier’s response was, “We have to do it to keep all you crazy coupon divas from walking away with free stuff.” I was super offended b/c I only had 6 coupons! REALLY? And I am SOOOOO far from a diva! lol I was wearing sweats and a baseball hat. hehehehe
Tomorrow will be my last trip to Kroger.. Sad day as I was always a faithful Kroger shopper. My dad worked @ their logistics warehouse my entire life 🙁 I am in Nky and will be taking my business to Meijers now. We are a family of 7 and the doubles kept us stocked up :/
I feel like they will not lower their prices or give better sales. On the other side, my store only doubles $.50 or below. It is rare that I use a coupon that small. That could be because I am a horrible grocery couponer. Probably cause I can find a good match up site for Kroger South east.
So glad I don’t live in those areas or I would definitely be shopping elsewhere.
When Fry’s in AZ stopped doubling coupons here last year, I discovered Safeway and Bashas. Fry’s lost so much business that they quickly changed back.
Hopefully they’ve learned there lesson and don’t try to bring that here.
I don’t live in those areas either. I love in Indiana and we still lost our double coupons. 🙁
If Krogers in my state tries this stunt they’ll quickly learn that I’m not bothered by going to Meijer or the local chains that double.
I live in Louisville, KY. Anyone know if that is part of the Northern KY market? I’m not sure if this means no more double coupons for me, or not.
No its a different region <3
Thanks, Rachel! That’s a relief, though it stinks for those in Northern KY/Ohio.
Do you know if all Krogers in Louisville double. I live here and haven’t experienced it. How do they decided?
I don’t know – the ones nearest us do, but I haven’t tried it in other Kroger’s in the city. We do have a Meijer very close by, so it might be a way to compete with the Meijer just down the road!
I do wish we had a meijers more conveniently located.
Jennifer—I shop the Charlestown, IN store and they are no longer doubling. I am going to try the Jeffersonville store, who is on Louisville’s cycle, and see if they are!
I stopped in to Kroger yesterday. Their mega sale was awesome and no coupons needed! I was impressed. If they do that more often I will be a happy camper!
I have given Kroger literally thousands of dollars over the years. I have avoided Walmart like the plague. Kroger’s only edge over Walmart in my area (WV) is the double coupons. As much as I hate Walmart, I will move my business in a heartbeat if Kroger makes this huge mistake. And I will encourage other couponers in my area to do the same. Coupon groups are huge..Kroger pay attention..we will go elsewhere.
I think it will hurt their sales. I will go to Meijer where they double coupons. The extreme couponing shows have hurt people who just use coupons to get a good deal. The ones that buy 200 boxes of pasta are the people who are causes changes on coupon usage everywhere.
I live in Texas and Kroger stopped a year or so ago. I still shop at Kroger except I feel like I have to work harder at finding deals. You have to just find other stores to shop along with Kroger. The stores that do still double in my area are the most expensive stores. Great ecoupons are hard to find with Kroger but the more you shop they will email you high value coupons.
So close to Illinois.. yet so far ..
thank God!
Yeah, I’m in TN and will be very disappointed if they stop doubling at my local Kroger. I will shop more at Publix.
I think that all of these stores and manufacturers don’t realize precisely how much business they get from couponers. I have become product loyal to many brands that I never would have even discovered without a coupon making it free. And now I pay full price on those items when I can’t find a sale. But the coupons that have made changes, like no longer being able to get free Johnson buddies, I loved the product, but not THAT much. I was recommending them to my whole family and getting others hooked on then through baby shower gifts. No more of that. No one even knows they exist anymore.
My Ralph’s stopped doubling as well, although they would only double one of the same coupon anyways. Not that big of a deal but to replace it with the fact that they are lowering prices is untrue. The deals aren’t that great and it’s more like buy 10 save 5.00. It is such a pain to have to keep track of every 10 items and make sure you buy the 10 or 20 or 30. Their prices have always seemed higher than everyone else’s anyways too. I shop there because their produce is better than anyone else’s but only buy the sale stuff.
I’m in the Houston area and Kroger promised us lower prices when they discontinued our double/triple coupons. They have done nothing but raise prices since then. I’ve only shopped at Kroger a handful of times since they discontinued the double/triple. It definitely hurt my budget but I’ve managed to find deals at other stores like Randalls. Kroger lost my loyalty when they didn’t value me as a customer.
Until I started following Hip2Save I’d never heard of Kroger so no loss for me, but I do feel bad for everyone. 🙁 On the East coast here, I have Stop&Shop and Shaws and they both double, I love that! (especially with a .75 cent coupon)
Gotta Agree with what ‘s been said. I think you are only hurting yourselves by this. The Kroger in our area only doubles to $.50 so they don ‘t get as much of my business as Giant Eagle and IGA do. I say hit em in the pocket book to get em to listen to us!! Couponers Rock!!!
Well, I live in Ohio and saw this info earlier and thought about how often I really shop at Kroger. I only go to Kroger for the following: if I’m in the middle of cooking and run out of something, if they have their meat on a good sale, to check out their clearance sections because I usually find something every visit and when they have the sales like this week that I can combine with coupons. Other than that-almost all of my grocery shopping is done at Meijer. Not only do they still double first 2 coupons but their prices are consistently lower. The gas discount isn’t a big deal to me because I shop at Kroger so little the most I ever had a discount for was $.10/gallon.
Wow! Thanks for the heads up. Laughed out loud about the lowering prices part. Our Kroger is a Matketplace which means it is now selling clothes and shoes. So ridiculous. I will just shop exclususively at Meijer now.
me too, what a joke…lower prices, yea right?!?! havent been shopping at kroger much lately, and now it’ll be even less!
You’ve GOT to be joking-shoes and clothing?
Walmart quality, no doubt. LOL 🙂
Oh please no. I’m in Indiana, right in between these two states. Marsh, Kroger’s biggest competitor here, just this week stopped doubling coupons. (Did it quietly and unannounced.) I really really hope Kroger doesn’t stop too!!! (We have Meijer, but what would stop them from doing this too?) What data do they have that says this will raise their profit margin? I really don’t find this a good competitive business practice nowadays (unless all of them are doing it which really stinks for the consumer who have grown very used to these programs which have existed for years.)
If they decided to get rid of doubling coupons at the Kroger in my small town in AR then that would be the death of Kroger here. There is a local grocery store that doubles to $0.50, another local store to $0.54, and another local store does up to $0.55 on Wednesday only (they just started that this week.) I didn’t shop much at our Kroger until recently because it isn’t that big and hasn’t always been the nicest or cleanest store. About a year ago they remodeled and it is somewhat nicer and definitely cleaner. I started shopping there a little bit more shortly after the remodel, and I have been shopping there A LOT recently since the sales and doubling of coupons has made so many things super cheap or free. I hope they pay attention to the fact that this isn’t going to go over well with couponers……….. :/
I live in Indiana and up until about a month ago my Krogers all tripled coupons. Now that they only double the deals are not near as good. If they quite doubling I will go to Walmart-they match everyone else’s ad and they are sometimes even cheaper. If Kroger quits doubling I would think that they will lose alot of business.
Kroger, know as Fred Meyer in the Pacific Northwest stopped doubling coupons about 4-5 years ago. They did lower prices, but not that much. They have four really good sales per year. Albertson’s soon followed;but have brought back a once a month double coupon program ( three coupons, for three days only.) Now Safeway is the only one left, and they will only double four non-internet coupons per transaction. I don’t know why, but all the grocery companys are scared of the new Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets. This makes it hard for all of us who coupon. We just have to work harder to get the good deals.
I’m in VA, but here’s my most recent experience with Kroger. When they had the buy 4 get a free gallon of milk recently, the Nature Valley bars were advertised in the paper at $3. But in the store, the sales tag with the free milk deal printed on it read $2.89 because that is their regular everyday price for these bars (you could see the regular tags in other spots on the shelf). So when they scanned at $3 I went to customer service for their price scan guarantee and got the first box free and the difference back on the other 3 boxes. Two days later I went back in and all the regular tags were gone and the sales tag with the milk deal now said $3. So they CLEARLY raised the price of the bars to go with the “free” milk promotion.
Used to love Kroger but shop there very little of late. Their meat prices are off the wall and as is their produce and I deplore having to buy ten junk food items to get one item that is on my grocery list at a lower price. I am in Houston and am looking forward to the opening of several Aldi stores as I have heard rave reviews about them on the internet. HEB and Foodtown are currently my stores of choice as they have good sales on food products. I think Kroger is more or less in the past for me. It was good reading all of the reviews as apparently I am not alone with my opinion.