Publix Lifts Ban on Online 'Cents Off' Coupons
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix here has ended its ban on computer-generated "cents off" coupons, according to published reports. The regional chain was among several supermarkets that banned the coupons following a rash in 2003 of nationwide counterfeit coupons, which manufacturers found hard to detect and therefore refused to honor.
Many of the counterfeits were for "free product" online coupons. Those coupons are still banned at Publix.
Kroger is also considering lifting its online-coupon ban, according to reports.
In fact, most of the supermarket chains that initially stopped accepting coupons printed from the Internet have now changed their policies, according to Matt Moog, president and c.e.o. of CoolSavings, Inc., an interactive marketing services company that provides lead generation, e-mail, coupon and loyalty programs. “We believe these changes are a positive and welcome change for the millions of consumer across the country who rely on the Internet to help them save money on their grocery shopping,” Moog said.
CoolSavings has developed new security measures for printable coupons and released a new paperless/electronic coupon capability that leverages the frequent shopper card, according to Moog, who added that the program is currently live on Kroger.com and has nearly two million consumers enrolled.
Many of the counterfeits were for "free product" online coupons. Those coupons are still banned at Publix.
Kroger is also considering lifting its online-coupon ban, according to reports.
In fact, most of the supermarket chains that initially stopped accepting coupons printed from the Internet have now changed their policies, according to Matt Moog, president and c.e.o. of CoolSavings, Inc., an interactive marketing services company that provides lead generation, e-mail, coupon and loyalty programs. “We believe these changes are a positive and welcome change for the millions of consumer across the country who rely on the Internet to help them save money on their grocery shopping,” Moog said.
CoolSavings has developed new security measures for printable coupons and released a new paperless/electronic coupon capability that leverages the frequent shopper card, according to Moog, who added that the program is currently live on Kroger.com and has nearly two million consumers enrolled.