Kroger and Shell Continue Momentum of Fuel Rewards Program Into New Markets Across the US

CINCINNATI and HOUSTON, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co., the nation's largest traditional supermarket retailer, and Shell, the no. 1 selling gasoline brand in the U.S., today announced the continued expansion of their exclusive alliance to help customers save at the pump in dozens of cities across the country. The exciting fuel rewards loyalty program provides shoppers the opportunity to save on fuels simply by using their Kroger Plus Card or other Kroger family of stores loyalty cards to earn points that can be redeemed for fuel discounts at participating Shell stations.

Originally launched in February 2010, the Kroger fuel rewards program with Shell is rapidly garnering customer attention and adoption in the 49 markets where the program has been successfully rolled out. To date, nearly 4,000 Shell stations across the country have launched the fuel rewards program and are active redemption centers for Kroger Fuel Points.

"Kroger's loyalty card program is unmatched in the industry, providing customers the best possible shopping experience," said Jeff Fike, director of customer relationship management & development for Kroger. "Teaming up with Shell allows us to provide even more savings and rewards to our customers, which we know is important, with the economic challenges our customers face."    

Beginning September 27, the fuel rewards program will provide customers in new areas around the country increased value for their money. Key markets launching the program in this latest phase include Houston, TX, Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, Phoenix, AZ, and Boise, ID, among other surrounding smaller outlying cities bringing the total number of markets with the fuel discount program to nearly 70 markets. The Kroger family of stores in this roll out includes Kroger, Fry's, Fred Meyer, QFC, King Soopers and City Market.

Kroger and Shell have previously rolled out the fuel rewards program in other key markets, including: Cincinnati, OH, Dallas, TX, Detroit, MI, Indianapolis, IN, Jackson, MS, Little Rock, AR, Louisville, KY, Nashville, TN, Raleigh, NC, Richmond, VA and San Diego, CA. These markets included the Ralph's, Scott's, Owen's, Hilander, Jay C and Dillons as part of the Kroger family of stores.

"Our participation in this program is helping our customers fill their gas tanks for less," said Dan Little, North America fuels marketing manager for Shell Oil Products U.S. "This program stretches customer's grocery dollars by allowing them to redeem reward points for meaningful savings."  

This fuel rewards program provides Kroger family of stores shoppers the opportunity to save on fuels at participating Shell stations, including Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, when using their Kroger family of stores loyalty card at the supermarket register. Customers in the participating markets can save a minimum of 10 cents per gallon for every 100 Fuel Points earned at Kroger family of stores when they use their loyalty card. Customers are able to redeem their Fuel Points exclusively at participating Shell stations and Kroger Fuel Centers, up to 35 gallons per fuel purchase.

Customers earn one Fuel Point for every dollar spent on most items at participating Kroger family of stores when they use their Kroger Plus Card or other Kroger family of stores loyalty card. Fuel Points will be automatically added to Kroger Plus Card or other Kroger family of stores loyalty card accounts and will be reflected on customers' grocery receipt after every purchase. Fuel Points must be used during the month they are earned or by the end of the following calendar month.

Customers may redeem their Fuel Points at Kroger Fuel Centers or participating Shell stations by using their Kroger Plus Card or other Kroger family of stores card at the pump, manually entering their card number or entering their alternate ID, which will initiate the fuel savings. Customers with questions about the grocer rewards program can call the Kroger Customer Service 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.

FOR MEDIA USE ONLY: Images and b-roll are available for download at: www.shell.us/fuelrewards.

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 Shell Oil Products US