• by Aaron Baar , May 5, 2008

Jumping on the bandwagon of economic stimulus, Kroger, which operates grocery store chains around the country, will begin offering bonuses for consumers who opt to exchange their tax refunds or economic stimulus checks for store payment cards.

"This is another example of programs that are meaningful to customers right now, as they're trying to stretch their dollars," company representative Denise Osterhues tells Marketing Daily. "More of our customers are preparing meals at home, and we believe this program will help them."

According to Kroger, the average family of four spends between $105 and $235 per week on grocery foods to be prepared at home. The program will be promoted in Sunday circulars and advertisements in regional markets, as well as through advertisements in USA Today.

Cincinnati-based Kroger operates supermarkets in 31 markets across the country under several names, including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Smith's, Dillons and Fry's. The offer will be available at all those chains, as well as Baker's, City Market, Gerbes, Hilander, JayC, King Scoopers, Owen's, Pay Less and QFC. The promotion will run through July 31.

Kroger is just the latest to entice consumers with help cashing or redeeming stimulus checks. Earlier this week, Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, said it would cash the stimulus checks for free with no purchase required. The Bentonville, Ark. company also said it would waive the fee on its prepaid debit card if consumers load them with their rebate funds.

Wal-Mart also rolled back prices on grocery items such as shampoo and juice, saying it expected six in 10 Americans to use their stimulus checks to pay for everyday items.