Are coupons discriminatory? Groups of consumer advocates argue that digital-only grocery store coupons are inaccessible to some shoppers who need them most, and yes.
As retailers move to digital-only in-store transactions, seniors and low-income shoppers, who often lack access to technology or the skills to use it, are missing out on discounts, the Coalition says. Kroger, in a recent letter sent to the Albertsons. Stop & Shop and other major supermarket chains.
Edgar Dworsky, founder of consumer education site Consumer World, said in a statement, “This is digital discrimination, and the most vulnerable are the ones who, given record-high inflation, are facing these online threats during the worst of times.” You are locked out of the discount.
A coalition of advocates from Consumer Action, Consumer Reports, Consumer World, the National Consumers League and Public Interest Research Group is pressuring grocers to address the digital divide. The rise of electronic deals and discounts may seem convenient to many shoppers, but for those without smartphones, Internet access, or tech know-how, much-needed grocery store savings are often out of reach. is out of reach.
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According to Consumer World research, 1 in 4 shoppers say they lack the technical ability to navigate supermarket apps and websites.
Sales of essential commodities such as meat, produce and bread are increasingly offered exclusively through grocery apps and websites. To get the discounted price, the shopper must create his online account and digitally “clip” the coupon and add it to the store card.
For example, the current Stop & Shop coupon, which offers $1 off 2 boxes of Barilla pasta, must be added to the shopper’s online account in order to purchase it at the sale price in-store. Another valid deal from Kroger requires shoppers to be plugged in to save 20 cents per pound on frozen turkey.
But according to Pew Research Center data cited by consumer advocates, a quarter of people over the age of 65 don’t use the internet. Nearly 40% of her seniors don’t have a smartphone, and 43% of her households with an annual income of less than $30,000 don’t have internet access.
“Large supermarkets need to offer offline alternatives to digitally disconnected so they can enjoy the same savings that online shoppers enjoy,” Dworsky added. rice field.
Access to discounts is especially important for underserved people, as inflation continues to make everyday items more expensive for consumers, the coalition said. Shoppers who don’t have the right technology or internet access can end up paying significantly more at the checkout. In a June report, Dwolski argued that grocery chains intentionally put digital-only barriers between shoppers and selling prices.
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Bridging the Digital Coupon Gap
According to the coalition, there are several ways grocers can accommodate shoppers who don’t have the access or skills to redeem digital offers.
Some franchises, such as ShopRite and Food Lion, are leading by example by offering in-store coupons of equal value in addition to digital options. We also offer in-store coupon kiosks that allow shoppers to add discounts to their store cards.
The coalition recommended another solution already available through Vons, the California chain of Pennsylvania-based franchises Giant and Albertsons. Vons uses “clip or click” store coupons with barcodes on its flyers to let shoppers choose their preferred method.
Supermarkets should also encourage cashiers to charge “digital-only” sales prices at the request of shoppers, the coalition added.
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