BOSTON — Mary Wosney is in her late 70s and doesn’t like computers. She still uses a flip phone, so accessing digital grocery store coupons on her smartphone is out of the question.
“i don’t like [the idea of digital coupons]said Wosney. “I don’t use a computer. How do you get a coupon if you don’t have one?”
There are millions of shoppers without smartphones or internet access. According to his Pew Research survey in 2021, his 39% of people over 65 do not own a smartphone and 25% do not use the internet. Consumer advocates argue that the prevalence of digital grocery coupons has cut many senior and low-income shoppers away from potential transactions.
“You need internet access and a smartphone, or you won’t get the sale price,” said Edgar Dworsky, founder of Consumer World.
Dworsky and consumer advocacy groups wrote to 12 of the nation’s largest grocery stores last month, asking them to provide non-digital alternatives to shoppers who can’t access digital coupons.
“Please stop discriminating against the elderly and low-income people who don’t have internet access,” said Dwolski. “All we are asking is to come up with an offline alternative where seniors without smartphones can get the same deals as tech-savvy people.”
The letter, co-sponsored by Consumer Action, Consumer Reports, National Consumers League, and Public Interest Research Group, includes examples of digital coupons and the difference paid by non-digital shoppers. turkey.
“The amount non-digital shoppers overpay can be staggering,” the letter said. “We believe that use of the digital-only offer may constitute unfair conduct under the Federal Trace Commission Act and similar state laws.”
Albertsons Companies, owner of Shaw’s and Star Market, said it makes extensive use of rewards programs to offer special prices to loyal customers.
“We primarily offer this price through our website or the U app banner store on smartphones, but many of our stores offer discounts to individuals who may not have digital access. You can also show the weekly flyer to the cashier for the benefit, which will be applied at the time of registration,” Albertsons said in a statement.
Wosney said she misses the days when just clipping coupons from the weekly circular was enough.
“If you have a coupon, you just go and show it and they will take care of it.
A Stop & Shop spokesperson referred Boston 25 to the Food Industry Association for a statement.
“Whether online or in-store, shoppers of all ages are opting in or out of a growing array of hybrid shopping options, from digital coupons to in-store signage, printed flyers, direct mail and in-store. The fact that grocers are now offering these different options shows that they are trying to help their customers access better deals. In fact, in-store flyers reign supreme as the most effective strategy for reaching grocery store customers, regardless of shopper age,” said an FMI spokesperson. said in a statement to Boston 25.
Wosney said she misses cutting coupons from the weekly circulars.
“If you have a coupon, you just go and show it and they will take care of it.
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