It might be time to say “yes” when a cashier asks you about signing up for that grocery store rewards program.
Food prices have steadily risen for years, and were predicted to rise 3% by the end of 2025, slightly faster than the 20-year historical average of 2.9%, according to the most recent report by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Many grocery store chains offer rewards programs that could add up to decent savings on your next grocery run.
Here’s a look at four major grocery stores in central Ohio and what they offer their customers.
Kroger
Kroger has both a free and paid rewards program.
Kroger’s free loyalty program, Kroger Plus, comes with several benefits: personalized digital coupons, exclusive weekly “specials and sales” and points that can be redeemed for fuel or “rewards cash” for every $1 spent on groceries. On their website, Kroger says the loyalty program could save a customer an average of $576 per year.
If you really love Kroger, Boost by Kroger may be the best fit. You can pick from two tiers: Boost, for an annual fee is $99, 13$ monthly, or Boost Essential, for $69 annually or 9$ per month.
Both options give you twice the fuel points, as well as free grocery delivery, though how fast you get it depends on your tier. You also get personalized coupons and exclusive savings on Kroger-owned brands like Simple Truth and Home Chef. You can also get streaming service memberships to Disney+, Hulu or ESPN+ for its ongoing Boost members. Boost Essential members get a six-month subscription to one of the three streaming options.
Meijer
The Meijer mPerks program is free to join, and you earn points as you shop. According to a Meijer spokesperson, “customers have access to more than $1,000 worth of mPerks savings in the Meijer app.”
You can choose how you spend your points, whether it’s to save on fuel, certain items or even get free ones. For example, 10,000 points can be used to save $1 per gallon of gas up to 30 gallons. Savings offers are also personalized based on your frequent purchases, and you can access special deals and digital coupons.
Walmart
Walmart’s rewards program comes in the form of Walmart+, a paid membership program that costs $98 annually.
While it has a cost, it comes with a broad range of benefits, including free delivery, free shipping with no order minimum, early access to promotions, video streaming with Paramount+ or Peacock, gas discounts and even a Burger King dining benefit, among others.
You can even score some travel perks. As a member, you can earn Walmart Cash on every trip, car rental, or hotel stay booked via Walmart+ Travel.
Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle has a free rewards program called myPerks where “perks” are earned every time you shop at Giant Eagle, Market District and GetGo, whether it’s groceries, pharmacy purchases or fuel.
You can choose how those perk points are spent: as instant dollars off a purchase, up to 20% off groceries or savings on gas at GetGo.
The more you shop at Giant Eagle, the more you’re rewarded for it. Customers who earn 2,500 perks within six months or make 25 qualifying visits achieve myPerks Pro status, “unlocking enhanced benefits,” according to a Giant Eagle spokesperson. Pro members also earn 50% more perks on groceries, prescriptions, fuel and gift cards.
Perks are valid up to 12 months.
Business and consumer issues reporter Samantha Hendrickson can be reached at shendrickson@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: As food prices rise, we break down central Ohio grocery perk programs
Reporting by Samantha Hendrickson, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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