As the largest supermarket chain in the United States, Kroger is a go-to destination for millions of shoppers looking to stock up on food, household essentials, and more. With over 2,700 stores across 35 states operating under two dozen different banners, there‘s likely a Kroger affiliate near you. And one of the best ways to trim your grocery bill at this mega-retailer is by strategically using coupons.
Couponing at Kroger allows savvy shoppers to slash their grocery expenses without sacrificing the brands they love. According to CouponFollow.com, the average American family can save over $1,400 per year by spending just 20 minutes per week couponing. At Kroger, you have a variety of coupon types at your disposal including manufacturer coupons, store coupons, digital coupons, printables, Catalinas, and even competitor coupons in certain situations.
If you‘re new to couponing or just want to ensure you‘re maximizing your savings at Kroger, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know. I‘ll cover the ins and outs of Kroger‘s coupon policy, the different types of coupons you can use, how to organize and use your coupons most efficiently, and insider tips to become a Kroger couponing pro.
By the time you finish reading, you‘ll be ready to confidently walk into Kroger with your coupon binder in tow, knowing you‘re getting the very best deals available. So let‘s dive in!
Understanding Kroger‘s Coupon Policy
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of couponing strategy, it‘s crucial that you familiarize yourself with Kroger‘s official coupon policy. While Kroger is generally coupon-friendly, the mega-chain understandably has rules in place to prevent coupon misuse. Here are the key things to know:
- Kroger accepts manufacturer coupons, Kroger digital coupons, printables, and Catalinas.
- Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
- Kroger may refuse to accept any coupon at its discretion.
- Coupons are void if copied, scanned, altered, transferred, purchased, sold, or prohibited by law.
- Only coupons for products carried in Kroger stores will be accepted.
- Kroger does not allow "stacking" a manufacturer coupon and a Kroger digital coupon on the same item.
- Competitor grocery coupons are NOT accepted, but most Kroger stores do accept valid competitor pharmacy coupons.
- Coupons valued at more than $3 require supervisor verification.
- Kroger reserves the right to limit quantities on coupon items and to limit use to normal retail quantities.
As you can see, Kroger‘s coupon policy is fairly standard for a major grocery chain. The key restriction to note is that Kroger does not allow coupon stacking, meaning you can‘t use both a manufacturer coupon and a Kroger digital coupon on a single item. You‘ll need to choose one or the other.
Types of Coupons Accepted at Kroger
Now that you‘re well-versed in Kroger‘s coupon rules, let‘s take a closer look at the different coupon types you can use to save:
Manufacturer Coupons
These are coupons put out by the product manufacturers themselves and can typically be used at any store that accepts them. You‘ll find manufacturer coupons in circulars and magazines, attached to products, on brand websites, or on reputable coupon sites like Coupons.com. Manufacturer coupons usually have the highest value.
Kroger Digital Coupons
Kroger offers its own store coupons that can be loaded to your Shopper‘s Card via the Kroger app or website. Digital coupons are the most convenient coupon type since you don‘t have to do any clipping. However, you typically can‘t stack a Kroger digital coupon with any other coupon on the same item.
Printable Coupons
Many manufacturer and store coupons can be printed at home from legitimate coupon websites like Coupons.com, SmartSource, and RedPlum. Kroger accepts valid, non-fraudulent printable coupons that meet their coupon policy guidelines.
Catalina Coupons
Named after the company that creates them, Catalina coupons are those long coupons that print at the register along with your receipt. They might offer cents/dollars off your next purchase or a discount on a particular product. Catalinas are triggered when you buy certain items and can be used on your next shopping trip.
Competitor Coupons
Kroger is one of the few national grocery chains that accepts some competitor coupons, although the policy varies by store. Most Kroger affiliates accept valid competitor pharmacy coupons for things like transferred prescriptions and flu shots. Some stores may also accept competitor grocery coupons at the manager‘s discretion, but it‘s not guaranteed. Be sure to check with your local Kroger about their specific competitor coupon rules.
Maximizing Your Savings With Kroger Coupons
Couponing really becomes a game-changer when you learn how to pair coupons with other discounts and deals. With a little strategy, you can often get products for pennies on the dollar – or even for free! Here are some of my top tips for maximizing your coupon savings at Kroger:
Combine Coupons With Sales and Promotions
The best time to use a coupon is when that item is already on sale at Kroger. This allows you to "stack" the store discount and the coupon discount for even bigger savings. Get in the habit of scanning Kroger‘s weekly ad to find sale items you have coupons for.
Use Coupons on Clearance Items
Kroger routinely marks down products that are close to expiration, out of season, or have damaged packaging. Always take a spin through the clearance section to scout for deeply discounted items. Applying a coupon to a clearance product is a recipe for mega-savings!
Follow Coupon Matchup Sites
There are numerous websites and blogs dedicated to finding the hottest coupon matchups at Kroger each week. Sites like Kroger Krazy and Kroger Ad match up current Kroger sale items with all known coupons to show you exactly what to clip and buy for the biggest discounts. Following these sites can save you serious time and energy.
Load Digital Coupons to Your Shopper‘s Card
If you haven‘t already, sign up for a free Kroger Plus Shopper‘s Card ASAP. In addition to being scanned for instant sale prices, your Shopper‘s Card can be loaded with Kroger digital coupons for effortless savings. Each Friday, visit the Kroger website or app, quickly clip the digital coupons you want to use, and you‘re good to go!
Double Up on Coupon Inserts
The SmartSource, RetailMeNot Everyday (formerly RedPlum) and Procter & Gamble (P&G) coupon inserts found in your Sunday paper are gold mines for couponers. Consider subscribing to multiple copies of the Sunday paper or asking friends and family for their unwanted inserts. Having multiples allows you to stock up when a great deal comes around.
FAQs About Couponing at Kroger
Still have questions? Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries about using coupons at Kroger:
Can I stack a manufacturer coupon and a Kroger digital coupon?
No, Kroger does not allow stacking a manufacturer coupon and Kroger digital coupon on the same item. You must choose one or the other. However, you may be able to use a manufacturer coupon and Kroger digital coupon on separate items in the same transaction.
Will Kroger accept expired coupons?
No, Kroger does not accept expired coupons under any circumstances. Be sure to pay close attention to expiration dates when clipping and organizing your coupons.
How many coupons can I use in one transaction?
Kroger does not specify a maximum number of coupons that can be used per transaction. As long as you are following all other coupon policy guidelines, you should be able to use a large number of coupons at once. However, Kroger reserves the right to limit quantities on coupon purchases.
Does Kroger do double or triple coupons?
No, Kroger has phased out double and triple coupons in most of its stores and affiliates. While a very small handful of locations may still offer coupon multipliers, it‘s not a standard policy.
Can I use a coupon on a "Free" item?
No, Kroger does not allow the use of coupons on products that are already free after a promotion or discount. Coupons are intended to reduce the price of an item, not provide overage.
Can I use coupons with a Kroger pickup or delivery order?
Currently, Kroger only allows digital coupons to be used on pickup and delivery orders. You cannot give paper coupons to your Kroger personal shopper. Kroger digital coupons will be automatically applied to eligible items in your digital cart.
Start Saving Today!
Well there you have it, coupon newbies and seasoned pros alike! You‘re now equipped with the knowledge and strategies you need to become a wildly successful Kroger couponer.
Remember, using coupons is all about working smarter, not harder. With a little organization, planning, and intentionality, you can dramatically slash your Kroger grocery bill without spending hours and hours clipping.
Take some time each week to scan the Kroger ad, clip applicable coupons, and make your shopping list. Get familiar with your store‘s clearance section and don‘t be afraid to stock up when you spot an amazing coupon matchup. And of course, always abide by Kroger‘s coupon policy to ensure a smooth checkout process.
If you put these tips and techniques into practice consistently, you‘ll be blown away by how much you can save at Kroger with very little effort. Hundreds of dollars of savings each month are completely attainable for the average family. That‘s money you can reallocate toward other financial goals like paying down debt, saving for a vacation, or building an emergency fund.
So what are you waiting for? Grab those coupons and head to Kroger with your head held high! With savvy couponing skills in your back pocket, you‘re well on your way to becoming a grocery budget boss.
Happy Couponing!
