When we moved to Texas there was a Tom Thumb supermarket in the city where we lived. I fell in love with Tom Thumb for everything that it is but also because it’s a Safeway store. Vons was always my favorite store in Southern California and I’d often drive out of my way to go there.
Like a lot of merchants, Tom Thumb has a loyalty rewards card. With the card, shoppers get discounts on items in the store. Shoppers can load additional coupons on the card too for extra savings. Coupons and in-store discounts aren’t the only savings, though. Every time a shopper spends a certain dollar amount in store, the shopper gets greater per gallon savings at Tom Thumb gas stations. The normal savings with the loyalty card is three cents. Tom Thumb used to partner with American Airlines to give miles for shopping.
The last time I was at a Ralph’s in Southern California I didn’t have my Ralph’s card, but I had my Kroger card and I was still able to get all the savings. Because I was familiar with Ralph’s, I was open to shopping at Kroger. I like the savings and rewards at Kroger. Kroger also gives three cents off per gallon of gas with the savings card. I don’t shop at Kroger often because Kroger is not convenient for me. It’s nice having the gas savings, though, if I’m driving by a Kroger.
In August 2010, Kroger started to partner with Shell gas stations. Customers who are filling up at Shell in North Texas can use their Kroger loyalty rewards cards for the same discounts on gas. Kroger launched the program to fill in the gaps left by its stores that do not have their own pumps.
I’m all in favor of any discounts to build customer loyalty.