Supermarkets Offer Bonuses For Shoppers Receiving Economic Stimulus Checks

May 2, 2008

Most Americans haven't received their economic stimulus checks from the US Government yet, but two of the nation's largest supermarket chains already are offering ways for consumers to get more for their money by offering bonuses to those who bring them into their stores. And more companies are likely to adopt the policy as concerns about rising food prices grow and the checks start arriving in the mail.

In an effort to goose the economy, the federal government is scheduled to start sending out $105.7 billion in economic stimulus checks this week, putting about $600 in the pockets of most individual tax filers, $1200 for couples filing jointly, and $300 per child for many families.

Kroger and Supervalu, each of which operates about 2,500 stores around the country under a variety of names, announced that shoppers can bring their checks in and get gift cards in $300 increments – plus get a 10% bonus of $30 for each $300.

Kroger stores include those operated the following names: Ralphs, King Soopers, Dillons, Smiths Food and Drug, Fry's, QFC, Baker's and Pay Less Supermarkets, in addition to those run under the Kroger name.

Supervalu's store banners include Acme, Albertsons, bigg's, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher's, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw's/Star Market, Shop 'n Save and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy.

And it may be that more consumers will have the ability to take advantage of such a program as more companies decide to adopt it. Roundy's, which operates 153 retail grocery stores under the Pick 'n Save, Copps, Rainbow and Metro Market names in Wisconsin and Minnesota, also announced this week that it will cash shoppers' economic stimulus checks and tax rebate checks – handing out gift cards in $300 increments and giving shoppers a $30 bonus on each card. Roundy's also has gone a step further by telling shoppers having the checks direct-deposited into their accounts that they can get the gift cards and bonuses if they bring a bank statement showing the deposit into the store.

While Wal-Mart will not be offering shoppers any bonuses if they bring their government checks into its stores, it has said that it will cash them – no strings attached – for free. A large percentage of Wal-Mart customers do not have banking or checking accounts, and so offering such a service will be seen as enormously attractive; Wal-Mart obviously is hoping that once those shoppers have some cash in their pockets, they will be moved to spend it at the closest retail establishment…which, of course, will be Wal-Mart.

Posted on Tuesday 5/6 by odessa
I think that idea will surely help stretch customers' dollars.

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