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 [image-nocss] 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, , the companies said.
"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," said Jeff Fike, director of fuel marketing for Kroger.
"Approximately 40% of all U.S. households hold a loyalty card from one of Kroger's family of stores and more than 80% of Americans live within five miles of a Shell station," said Dan Little, North America fuels marketing manager for Shell Oil Products U.S., Houston."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 the Kroger website.
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.
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.
Concerning the rewards program, the National Association of Shell Marketers, in its latest issue of @NASM e-news for Shell Wholesale Marketers, said:
"Marketers have likely received information from Shell about its new grocer rewards program, which will allow Kroger and Stop and Shop customers to earn credits that may be used on purchases of gasoline or diesel fuel at participating Shell-branded retail facilities. Marketers may also have been presented by Shell with contracts that govern their participation in the rewards program, including features such as co-advertising and the redemption of fuel discount cards. NASM is pleased to announce that its counsel, Taylor & Powell LLC, has adapted Shell's Wholesaler Participation Agreements for the grocer rewards programs for use by NASM members. The agreements created by our attorneys will enable NASM members to allocate responsibility for the obligations presented by the rewards program between themselves and their retail customers."
The Kroger Co., Cincinnati, has 2,469 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. It also operates 773 convenience stores, 850 supermarket fuel centers and other businesses.
Shell Oil Products US, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Co., is a leader in the refining, transportation and marketing of fuels, and has a network of approximately 6,100 branded gas stations in the western United States. Shell Oil Co. is an affiliate of the Shell Group. Shell Oil is a 50% owner of Motiva Enterprises LLC, along with Saudi Refining Inc. Motiva refines and markets branded products through more than 8,300 Shell-branded stations in the eastern and southern United States.
Click herefor Shell's webpage about the program.
Andclick here for Kroger's webpage about the program.
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