Kroger and Shell Kickoff Grocer Rewards Program to Give Customers Fuel Savings at the Pump

CINCINNATI and HOUSTON, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Kroger Co., the nation's largest traditional supermarket retailer, and Shell, the no. 1 selling gasoline brand in the U.S., have teamed up to launch a customer loyalty grocer rewards program in several U.S. cities. The rewards program provides shoppers the exclusive opportunity to earn savings on fuels when using their Kroger family of brands loyalty card at their local Kroger or Ralphs stores.  

Beginning on February 15, Kroger and Shell will roll out the grocer rewards program in Cincinnati, Dayton, Knoxville, Nashville and San Diego. Customers in participating markets can earn points and redeem them for savings on gasoline at Kroger Fuel Centers and participating Shell stations. Customers can earn rewards including a minimum of 10 cents off a gallon of gasoline for every 100 Fuel Points they earn by using their free loyalty card when purchasing a variety of products inside Kroger and Ralphs stores. This offer is valid up to 35 gallons per fuel purchase. Offers may vary per market and plans for future rollouts of the program will be determined following the launch of these five markets.  

"Kroger's loyalty card program is unmatched in the industry, providing customers with savings on groceries, gasoline, general merchandise, pharmacy needs and Kroger brands," said Jeff Fike, director of fuel marketing for Kroger. "Teaming up with Shell allows us to provide even more savings and rewards to our customers, which we know is important, especially in today's economic times."    

"Approximately 40 percent of all U.S. households hold a loyalty card from one of Kroger's family of stores and more than 80 percent of Americans live within five miles of a Shell station," said Dan Little, North America fuels marketing manager for Shell Oil Products U.S. "As leading national brands, the exclusive alliance between Shell and Kroger will allow customers to earn savings on everyday purchases and redeem them for high-quality Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines."

To participate in the grocer rewards program, customers in participating markets will need to use their active Kroger Plus Card or Ralphs rewards Card, or apply for a loyalty card, which is free. Applications are readily available at any Kroger or Ralphs store or by visiting www.kroger.com.  Customers earn one Fuel Point for every dollar spent at participating Kroger stores when they use their loyalty card. To help shoppers build up their savings quickly, Fuel Points can also be earned by purchasing prescriptions or gift cards at Kroger. With every two eligible prescriptions or with a purchase of $50 in gift cards from Kroger's in-store Gift Card Malls, loyalty card holders receive 100 Fuel Points. Visit any Kroger or Ralphs store for details.

Fuel Points from participating stores will be automatically added to loyalty card accounts and will be reflected on the customers' grocery receipt after every purchase. Customers also have the option of looking online on their "My Kroger" or "My Ralphs" page to check how many Fuel Points they have earned. Fuel Points must be used within a designated time period.

Customers may redeem their Fuel Points at Kroger Fuel Centers or participating Shell stations by swiping their participating loyalty card at the pump, manually entering their card number or by entering their alternate ID, which will initiate the fuel savings. Customers with questions about the grocer rewards program can call the Kroger Customer Service telephone number at 1-800-576-4377, or contact Shell Customer Service at 1-888-GO-SHELL for participating Shell locations.

For additional information, please visit www.shell.us/kroger or www.kroger.com/fuel.

The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 326,000 associates who serve customers in 2,469 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.  The Company also operates 773 convenience stores, 392 fine jewelry stores, 850 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S.  Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves.  For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.

Shell Oil Products US, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company, is a leader in the refining, transportation and marketing of fuels, and has a network of approximately 6,100 branded gasoline stations in the Western United States. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Shell Group [(NYSE: RDS.A) and (NYSE: RDS.B)]. Shell Oil Company is a 50 percent owner of Motiva Enterprises LLC, along with Saudi Refining, Inc. Motiva Enterprises LLC refines and markets branded products through more than 8,300 Shell-branded stations in the Eastern and Southern United States.

Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 100 countries with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of Liquefied Natural Gas and Gas to Liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects including wind and solar power. For further information, visit www.shell.com.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.