Raleigh, NC -- (SBWIRE) --11/23/2011 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), (http://www.kroger.com/), the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer with 16 stores throughout the Triangle, has announced that it will be offering quadruple fuel points on holiday gift card purchases as well as helpful, money-saving tips for customers during the holiday season. The tips were compiled by Kroger associates, mom bloggers and frugal living experts.

Tips include:

• Buy gift cards, save on fuel: From Nov. 20 through Dec. 11, Kroger will offer quadruple fuel points on most gift cards sold at its One Stop Gift Card Shop. The fuel points can be redeemed for discounts of up to $1 at Kroger fuel centers and 10 cents on fuel at Shell stations.

• Pair coupons with sales: “Pairing coupons with sales is the best way to get the most for your money. Stockpile holiday cooking staples, using a coupon when they are on sale, so that you aren't running out to the store at the last minute and paying full price,” says Marcy Robison, owner of the couponing blog http://www.stretchingabuckblog.com.

• Look for “bundled” savings: Andrea Deckard, founder of the site SavingsLifestyle.com, recommends watching for store discount offers on turkeys and hams that are bundled with other staples. “Many will offer great discounts when you purchase other items during your shopping trip. This is also a great time to stock up so you can have inexpensive protein options available throughout the year.”

• Plan the menu: “Planning allows you to identify the shelf-stable items you can buy in advance and the fresh foods to purchase just prior to your holiday meal,” explains Margaret McClure, vice president of Kroger’s bakery and deli operations. “This will help maximize every shopping trip and avoid the stress of running out to the store at the last minute.”

• Search High and Low: Name brand items are usually placed at eye level, so be sure to check the shelves above and below to compare prices. And remember to pay attention to the price per unit, which will often drop when items are purchased in bulk,” says Shannon Jarvies, who owns the popular blog http://www.mrsmoneysaver.com.

The tips could not come at a better time. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2011 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, released in October, 57 percent of consumers begin their holiday shopping in November and the first two weeks of December. Limited budgets and a general wariness over the economy are driving consumers to seek out seasonal sales, discounts and other incentives to maximize their purchases.

Kroger’s holiday gift card promotion falls into the latter category. The fuel points allow customers to save up to $1 per gallon at Kroger fuel centers nationwide, or up to 10 cents per gallon on gas purchased at Shell stations nationwide. The more points a customer accrues, the greater the rewards. For example, for every purchase of $50 in gift cards from Kroger’s Gift Card Mall, customers will receive 200 fuel points. Those 200 points can be redeemed for 20 cents off per gallon at their local Kroger fuel center, or 10 cents off per gallon at two different fill-ups at the customer’s local Shell station.

QUOTES:
“We encourage customers to stop by Kroger and purchase gift cards to use like cash, in order to save on fuel. We think it’s an easy and convenient way to kick off holiday shopping before heading out to retailers, especially before shopping on Black Friday,” notes Carl York, advertising & public relations manager for the mid-Atlantic marketing area at Kroger.

“Kroger tries to come up with different, creative ideas so our customers can make all of their celebrations unique and affordable,” says York. “Following these tips can be a great way for every customer to celebrate the holidays.”

DETAILS:
- Some exclusions on gift card purchases do apply, and the rewards offer may vary by market, so customers are encouraged to visit their local store for more information.

About Kroger
Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, has 16 stores throughout the Triangle. Headquartered in Cincinnati, the company employs more than 338,000 associates who serve customers in 2,439 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The company also operates 788 convenience stores, 361 fine jewelry stores, 1,046 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the United States. Kroger focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information, please visit http://www.kroger.com.

Erin Smith
MMI Public Relations
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Erin@mmipublicrelations.com
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