Spike O’Neill applauds Kroger’s new coupon policy for less tech-savvy shoppers

Kroger, which owns familiar stores such as Fred Meyer and QFC, has announced a new policy at select stores that allows shoppers to use digital-only coupons via printed flyers provided by the store.

Spike O’Neill, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, and KIRO fill-in host Greg Tomlin addressed some of the driving factors behind Kroger’s digital coupon adjustment, noting a few negative personal experiences using coupons in the past.

Kroger updates digital coupon policy

“They’re changing the digital code digital coupon process here, because a few years ago, a coalition of consumer groups got together and said, stop discriminating against our senior citizens and low-income shoppers,” Tomlin said. “It was seen as a policy favoring only the tech-savvy shoppers.”

The revised policy addresses the ongoing difficulties elderly and lower-income shoppers have when using the store’s applications that provide coupons.

“I found myself in Safeway late at night, and there’s a digital coupon for a cookie that no one else seemed to have in stock,” Spike said. “I’m ready to check out using the app, and the lady working says, ‘Those coupons never work, people just give up. Let me ring in the price by hand.'”

Two Pew Research Center studies reported that one in four adults aged 65 and over did not use the internet in 2021. Additionally, 13% of adults in low-income households did not have access to the internet through a smartphone.

“It’s the equity of available discounts to all citizenry, not just those who are nice and lucky enough to have a smartphone or understand technology,” Spike said.

The digital coupons will now be available near the entrance of participating stores and customer service desks, according to KOMO News.

“It’s hard for me to navigate the apps, and it’s hard for me to get a signal in the store, and I scan multiple times in that stupid QR code, and it doesn’t seem to work unless I throw myself at the mercy of the midnight checker who says that never works,” Spike said.

The newly provided coupon sheets allow customers to scan a barcode at checkout, which accesses all advertised discounts within the store, a process that eliminates the need for the internet.

“There’s no quicker way to get a business or organization to acquiesce to the clamors of the populace than to cry discrimination over a policy or practice,” Tomlin said. “Now, if you’re shopping at a Kroger-backed grocery store, you’ll be able to pick up a digital coupon or scan one as you enter the facility.”

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.