For decades, clipping paper manufacturer coupons was a central part of saving money on groceries. However, the rise of digital technology and a shift in retail strategy have led many major chains to abandon this long-standing practice. In Colorado, as in the rest of the country, shoppers are finding that fewer and fewer stores will accept the coupons from the Sunday paper. This move is part of a broader effort by retailers to push customers onto their own proprietary digital coupon apps, which gives the stores more control and valuable data.
King Soopers and City Market (Kroger)
The Kroger family of stores, which includes King Soopers and City Market in Colorado, has been a leader in the transition to a digital-first savings model. The company’s official policy is that it no longer accepts paper manufacturer coupons printed from the internet. While they will still accept paper coupons from the newspaper, their primary focus is on their digital app, where customers must “clip” offers to their loyalty card to receive the discount.
Target
Target has also made a major shift away from paper coupons. While the company will still accept a limited number of paper manufacturer coupons, its entire “Target Circle” rewards program is built around digital offers that you must save in the app. The company has made it clear that the future of savings at its stores is digital, and the era of stacking paper coupons at the register is largely over.
Walmart
Walmart has a complex and often confusing coupon policy that can vary from store to store. While the official corporate policy is that accept paper coupons, they have very strict rules about them. Additionally, many cashiers are not well-trained on how to process them. Furthermore, the company heavily incentivizes the use of its own app and its “Walmart+” subscription service. This is another sign of the industry’s move away from paper.
Whole Foods Market
The Amazon-owned grocery chain does not accept any paper manufacturer coupons at all. The company’s savings program is tied exclusively to an Amazon Prime membership. Prime members receive special “Prime Member Deals” that are automatically applied at the register when they scan their app. The store has eliminated the use of traditional paper coupons.
The End of an Era for Paper
The decline of the paper manufacturer’s coupon is a direct result of a power shift in the retail industry. Stores no longer want to be a passive participant in a manufacturer’s promotion. They want to control the entire savings process through their own digital platforms. This gives them valuable data on their customers’ shopping habits and allows them to offer targeted, personalized deals. For Colorado shoppers, it means that the key to saving money is no longer a pair of scissors. It’s a smartphone.
Are you a Colorado shopper who still uses paper coupons? Have you had any trouble using them at your local stores? Share your experience!
You May Also Like…
9 States Where Double Coupon Policies Are Disappearing in 2025
10 Times Coupon Restrictions Were Hidden in Tiny Print
The post Which Chains in Colorado No Longer Accept Manufacturer Coupons? appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
