Kroger, Shell To Save Consumers At Pump

CINCINNATI and HOUSTON, Feb. 12 — The Kroger Co., the nation’s largest traditional supermarket retailer, and Shell, the no. 1 selling gasoline brand in the U.S., have teamed up to launch a customer loyalty grocer rewards program in several U.S. cities. The rewards program provides shoppers the exclusive opportunity to earn savings on fuels when using their Kroger family of brands loyalty card at their local Kroger or Ralphs stores.

Beginning on February 15, Kroger and Shell will roll out the grocer rewards program in Cincinnati, Dayton, Knoxville, Nashville and San Diego. Customers in participating markets can earn points and redeem them for savings on gasoline at Kroger Fuel Centers and participating Shell stations. Customers can earn rewards including a minimum of 10 cents off a gallon of gasoline for every 100 Fuel Points they earn by using their free loyalty card when purchasing a variety of products inside Kroger and Ralphs stores. This offer is valid up to 35 gallons per fuel purchase. Offers may vary per market and plans for future rollouts of the program will be determined following the launch of these five markets.

“Kroger’s loyalty card program is unmatched in the industry, providing customers with savings on groceries, gasoline, general merchandise, pharmacy needs and Kroger brands,” said Jeff Fike, director of fuel marketing for Kroger. “Teaming up with Shell allows us to provide even more savings and rewards to our customers, which we know is important, especially in today’s economic times.”

“Approximately 40 percent of all U.S. households hold a loyalty card from one of Kroger’s family of stores and more than 80 percent of Americans live within five miles of a Shell station,” said Dan Little, North America fuels marketing manager for Shell Oil Products U.S. “As leading national brands, the exclusive alliance between Shell and Kroger will allow customers to earn savings on everyday purchases and redeem them for high-quality Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines.”

To participate in the grocer rewards program, customers in participating markets will need to use their active Kroger Plus Card or Ralphs rewards Card, or apply for a loyalty card, which is free. Applications are readily available at any Kroger or Ralphs store or by visiting www.kroger.com. Customers earn one Fuel Point for every dollar spent at participating Kroger stores when they use their loyalty card. To help shoppers build up their savings quickly, Fuel Points can also be earned by purchasing prescriptions or gift cards at Kroger. With every two eligible prescriptions or with a purchase of $50 in gift cards from Kroger’s in-store Gift Card Malls, loyalty card holders receive 100 Fuel Points. Visit any Kroger or Ralphs store for details.

Fuel Points from participating stores will be automatically added to loyalty card accounts and will be reflected on the customers’ grocery receipt after every purchase. Customers also have the option of looking online on their “My Kroger” or “My Ralphs” page to check how many Fuel Points they have earned. Fuel Points must be used within a designated time period.

Customers may redeem their Fuel Points at Kroger Fuel Centers or participating Shell stations by swiping their participating loyalty card at the pump, manually entering their card number or by entering their alternate ID, which will initiate the fuel savings. Customers with questions about the grocer rewards program can call the Kroger Customer Service telephone number at 1-800-576-4377, or contact Shell Customer Service at 1-888-GO-SHELL for participating Shell locations.

Source: The Kroger Co.