Meijer Discontinues Double Coupons

Meijer will discontinue doubling coupons in all of its nearly 200 stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, effective Aug. 25.

Meijer spokesman Frank Guglielmi said the decision to eliminate double coupons was announced to customers through in-store signage, as well as in the Grand Rapids Mich.-based retailer’s Aug. 4 ad circular.

"We are shifting our resources to mPerks digital coupons," Guglielmi said, noting that less than five percent of Meijer customer used double coupons. "But more than 1.5 million have signed up for mPerks, with as many as 25,000 more joining each week. We are also expanding mPerks to include rewards for our pharmacy," further details of which will be forthcoming, said Guglielmi, who added that Mejer will continue to accept coupons at face value, in addition to mPerks.

Having discontinued double coupons in about 30 of its stores earlier this year, Meijer’s decision to embrace the strategy companywide triggered a spate of negative reactions from visitors to its Facebook page – many from self-proclaimed loyal customers – who derided the chian's decision to ditch double coupons while pleading with it to reconsider alongside threats to abandon patronizing its stores after double coupons cease.

“We understand that you may initially be disappointed,” said Meijer’s follow up response. “We continually strive to find new ways to improve our customers’ experience. Although we will no longer double coupons, we are still offering great savings with everyday low prices, weekly specials and mPerks digital coupons. And now, there’s a new way to save with mPerks - mPerks rewards for pharmacy.”

Meijer’s elimination of double coupons in all stores follows similar action taken by The Kroger Co., which stopped accepting doubling coupons earlier this year in its Cincinnati/Dayton and Mid-Atlantic divisions’ stores.