Kroger Unveils Gas Incentive Program

The Kroger Co. is introducing an incentive program to boost its share of gasoline sales in Michigan.

Kroger shoppers receive one point for every dollar spent at the grocer’s fuel stations, and earning 1,000 points brings a discount of $1 per gallon for each fill-up, The Detroit News reported. Customers can also save 10 cents a gallon at 150 Shell gas stations in the Great Lake State.

The program aims to give the Cincinnati-based grocery chain an edge against its two biggest competitors in Michigan — home-state Meijer, Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Kroger, which has 30 fuel stations in Michigan, teamed up with Shell to broaden its presence in the local fuel market, according to the News. “It adds value to the shopping experience,” said Kroger spokesman Dale Hollandsworth.

The program launched in February in five test markets: Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Nashville and Knoxville, Tenn.; and San Diego.

Meijer offers a nickel off each gallon when customers pay with a Meijer credit card at its nearly 100 Michigan gas stations, Meijer spokesman Frank Guglielmi said. Walmart has more than 15 gas stations in Michigan, but increasing fuel sales isn’t a primary focus for the retailer, Lindsay Huddleston, spokesman for the Bentonville, Ark.-based mega-retailer, told the News.

Kroger is awarding quadruple points on gift cards to celebrate the reward program’s debut.