Supermarket Technology AND Easy Savings!
The first half of 2009 showed a 308% growth in digital and internet coupons as compared to the same time period of 2008! Wow!
In an age of cell phones, mobile apps, digital coupons and the internet, supermarkets have gotten on some bandwagons, and off of some others. With each new application or changed technology, The Grocery Game asks two things “How much money can Grocery Gamers save with this new technology?” And “Is it easy?”
Suffice it to say, the past year has seen new technology developments that have come and gone. I can’t even begin to tell you how many we’ve had on our lists, and no longer have. By the time I post this blog, things will have changed again, improved, or disappeared. But for those that are in existence at this moment in time, many are really quite good and easy. Here’s a brief overview of what’s out there, and what to look for in terms of new technology and easy grocery savings!
First, cell phones and digital coupons… Cellfire is a company that offers digital coupons that can be accessed from your mobile phone or your PC. However you choose to access Cellfire, you can select coupon savings to be downloaded right onto your club card. In most cases, these coupons can be combined with manufacturer coupons from your Sunday paper or otherwise. This is allowed and acceptable. For groceries, you can find huge savings upwards of 70, 80 or even 90% off, and sometimes for FREE! And you know I love free! www.Cellfire.com
There’s also Shortcuts.com, which works like Cellfire for Kroger stores, Safeway stores, and others. Here’s a link to those that participate: http://shortcuts.com/stores Incidently, most stores will also accept Cellfire as well as Shortcuts.
Many supermarkets are starting to develop their own digital coupons. Last December, Kroger company announced the ending of their relationship with P&G eSaver digital Coupons. Almost seamlessly, Kroger began offering digital coupons that can be downloaded to your Kroger club card using “SoftCoin”. This applies to all Kroger banners, Fry’s, Smiths, Ralphs, Dillons, etc. You can visit your Kroger store website to sign up, and load up digital coupons. Pathmark and others have also begun to offer digital coupons on their websites. Bottom line, check your grocery store’s websites to see what new digital coupons may be available.
Mobile applications are also now being used by supermarket chains to convey sales information, recall alerts, discounts, and digital coupons. Shoprite, among others, offers specials through the Iphone application. Food Lion and Marsh supermarkets will send text messages with savings potential, discounts, coupons, and sales. Also in December, Whole Foods Market launched a website optimized for web-enabled mobile devices, where you can find recipes and specials. http://m.wholefoodsmarket.com
The Grocery Game launched a new mobile application for accessing any of our 170+ LISTs nationwide from your cell phone. At this point, it is only for Windows Mobile phones. I use Verizon, so I switched to Imagio HTC which can handle professional applications, just so I could see what this thing does. Wow! Even for me, as non-techy as I am, I’m loving the ability to pull up my list at Joe’s softball game on my phone, and start planning my money saving shop! We’re going to develop apps for Iphones, Blackberry, and whatever else comes along as well. And I’m sure there will be lots more as technology keeps forging ahead!
