In the past 18 hours I've been inundated with emails and questions about changes in the Kroger coupon policy, so I thought I'd blog about it to help lay fears to rest and maybe dispel a few internet rumors swirling around. 

Kroger is NOT ending double coupons in Cincinnati. 

 Kroger announced yesterday that they are ending double and triple coupons in the Dallas, TX region, effective 9/14. I feel horrible for those down in that region, including a few friends of mine who are avid couponers down there. Kroger also ended double and triple coupons in the Houston area in March, citing low coupon usage amongst their customers.  However, let's be clear: that doesn't mean it is "spreading" or is going national anytime soon. I've spoken with Kroger in Cincinnati again this morning to confirm that they have no plans to end double coupons here in the Cincinnati region. This is a localized action, based upon market factors in the Houston and Dallas markets. Cincinnati is far too competitive on the coupon front for them to consider changing that policy here.  Some other rumors I've seen swirling around: 

• Houston and Dallas are just test markets--soon it will be coming to all stores nationwide. FALSE--there's absolutely no indication that Kroger has any plans to make this nationwide. Kroger operates their coupon policies on a regional basis--the coupon policy in Dayton, Columbus and Louisville are different from the coupon policy in Cincinnati. They do what is right for their stores in each market. Columbus doubles coupons up to $1, while Louisville is only to .50. Cincinnati is a highly competitive market so they'd be foolish to end double coupons here.

• Kroger sponsored the Extreme Couponing show. FALSE--Kroger did not sponsor the show in any way. They did allow some of the local shoppers to film and shop in their stores, yes. But so did dozens of other local and national grocery chains across the nation. Giving permission to shop and film does not equal sponsorship. The argument goes that Kroger sponsored the show, purposely setting up the fallout against coupons that we are seeing now. Kroger didn't sponsor the show any more than Safeway or Walmart did, who also were featured on the show.

• Kroger is tightening the reins on coupons, limiting how many you can use. TRUE--this is due to an increase in fraud and abuse, which many of us have witnessed since the start of the Extreme Couponing show. However, this is happening industry wide, as manufacturers and retailers alike tighten the reins on coupon usage. This isn't an official change of policy, but individual stores do have the right to limit to a reasonable amount.

• Kroger's goal is to eliminate paper coupons altogether and only use digital coupons. FALSE--while digital coupons are a growing area of Kroger's coupon offerings, they are not going to stop taking paper coupons anytime soon. Digital coupons represent less than 20% of the coupons redeemed in 2010, making them a growing factor but by no means are they taking over in the next year or two. A large segment of Kroger's customers have no idea that digital coupons exist or how to use them. While this area is growing, and will eventually emerge as the primary coupon method at all retailers, the change is still several years away. The technology just isn't available or used by the majority of retail shoppers.