Food manufacturers and stores know how important coupons are to consumers who want to stretch their dollars. This is why food companies have come up with a lot of different offers through coupons and why food retailers do not mind the huge flood of coupons that they are accepting in their stores. However, coupon stacking is a totally different matter.

Coupon stacking is a term referring to the use of two or more coupons for the same grocery item. Most stores do not allow this practice. However, there are still some shoppers who violate this store policy to maximize their savings. Because it is hard to detect with the current systems that are being used and because thoroughly checking every coupon and product is time consuming for both cashier and shopper, coupon stacking becomes possible in some instances. For instance, a shopper stacks by pairing a physical coupon with an electronic coupon that has been saved on the shopper’s loyalty card.

Kroger, however, has recently been using new computer software that is installed at its cash registers. This software prevents coupon stacking. It will also help cashiers speed up their service at checkout because they would not have to look through the receipt. The new software will alert them once it finds possible coupon stacking.

Shoppers like Faith Bigler, say the new system makes sense. Bigler, who has been using grocery coupons for 30 years, said that what Kroger is doing is only fair, both to the retailer and the consumer. Bigler said that although she likes getting deals, she does not want for someone else to pay for her deals and that is what definitely happens with coupon stacking.