MEIJER’S mPERKS DIGITAL COUPON PROGRAM MARKS SHIFT FROM CLIPPING COUPONS TO “CLICKING” COUPONS September 23, 2010

New Online Feature Redeems Coupons Automatically Without Ever Having To Submit A Printed Copy

Meijer shoppers redeem millions of paper coupons annually at the supercenter’s 196 stores, but beginning today, the art of cutting coupons may soon be replaced by the start of clicking coupons.

With this week’s launch of Meijer’s mPerks program, the Midwest retailer introduces its first digital coupon effort that will allow deal-seekers to instantly save money without ever having to cut, print or even present an actual coupon. By signing up at mperks.meijer.com, shoppers can preview and select coupons for their favorite national or Meijer own brand products that are then stored in their personal mPerks account. The applicable coupons are then instantly redeemed when shoppers code in their mobile phone number at check-out.

Citing convenience and savings, Meijer expects the new online tool to be highly popular with savvy shoppers and bargain-hungry customers.

“With the advent of our new mPerks program, we’ve developed a smart and convenient way to keep more money in our customers’ pockets,” said Frank Guglielmi, director of public relations for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. “No more clipping or printing of coupons. This is a faster and easier way to save money right at the register. We anticipate that this will be viewed quite favorably by a great many of our customers.”

Once a digital coupon is selected on the mPerks microsite, it will be active in the shopper’s personal account until redeemed or expired. At check-out, the mPerks member enters a mobile phone number, which will serve as his or her account number. Once the number is keyed in, it instantly triggers the coupon savings.

Meijer is considering additional features to be introduced in the coming months to offer increased convenience, selections and savings for mPerks members.