April 2008 Archives

Wal-Mart unveiled its plans to entice U.S. shoppers to spend their tax rebates in its discount stores, offering to cash the checks for free. Wal-Mart said no purchase will be necessary to cash the checks at its customer service desks or in its MoneyCenters financial services centers it operates in its stores.

The retailer has cut prices on key grocery and other items like shampoo, juice and sports drinks, to coincide with the distribution of the rebates.

This is the 3rd major grocery chain to offer discounts and incentives that are tied to the 2008 Federal Tax Rebate program. Kroger's program as well as SUPERVALU's program can make a $300 rebate worth $330.

Grocery shoppers can realize substantial savings by taking advantage of these offers and combining their purchases with grocery coupons and weekly sales.

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Reuters

The program allows Kroger customers to exchange their tax refund or economic stimulus checks for a Kroger gift card with an extra $30.00, $60.00 or $120.00 added to it. Gift card amounts correspond to the payment amounts outlined by the Internal Revenue Service for the federal economic stimulus program.

"Grocery bills represent a significant expenditure for the average American family. In fact, the average family of four spends between $105 and $235 per week on food purchased at a store and prepared at home," said David B. Dillon, Kroger chairman and chief executive officer. "Kroger's program allows our customers to stretch their grocery dollars further. We are excited about the opportunity to touch the lives of millions of families across the country by helping them extend their household budgets through this special program."

The program will be available throughout Kroger stores nationwide - including Kroger, Baker's, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Gerbes, Hilander, Jay C, King Soopers, Owen's, Pay Less, Ralphs, Smith's and QFC stores. Kroger customers who are interested in exchanging their refunds or economic stimulus checks should present their check and customer loyalty card at their local store's Customer Service center from May 2, 2008 through July 31, 2008. The program is limited to one offer per household with a limit of $1,200.00.

For more information: The Kroger Co.

SUPERVALU INC. has announced a program that enables shoppers to exchange their economic stimulus or tax refund checks for a store gift card loaded with extra money. Customers can redeem their checks for store gift cards in $300 increments, and stores will add an extra $30 to each card. This offer is available May 2 through July 31, 2008, at all SUPERVALU stores, including Acme, Albertsons, bigg's, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher's, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw's/Star Market, Shop 'n Save and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy.

"We recognize that in today's economy, consumers' budgets are strained," said Jeff Noddle, SUPERVALU chairman and CEO. "At the same time, however, they still want to feed their families fresh and healthy meals, affordably. We're always looking for ways to help our shoppers stretch their food dollars even further, and this is a program that we hope can help them achieve that."

Customers who are interested in growing their refunds should bring their government-issued economic stimulus or tax refund checks, along with government-issued identification, to customer service counters at their local stores between May 2 and July 31, 2008, to purchase store gift cards in $300 increments, not to exceed $1,200 per household. Each gift card will be loaded with an additional $30, to bring each gift card total to $330. Customers will be able to purchase less than the total amount of their check in $300 increments.

More: SUPERVALU INC.