During the summer of 2017, the Kroger Family of Companies, including Fred Meyer, executed several promotional campaigns targeting U.S. consumers. These initiatives ranged from a massive free ice cream giveaway to fuel point rewards and discount events. The following analysis details the specific offers, eligibility requirements, and participating store locations based on the available source material.
The Kroger Summer Ice Cream Giveaway
To celebrate the start of summer and the longest day of the year, Kroger announced a significant freebie event on June 20. The promotion centered on the distribution of free Kroger Brand ice cream.
Offer Details and Volume The scale of the giveaway was substantial. Kroger planned to distribute 50 pints of free ice cream every minute throughout the day. With 900 minutes of sunlight expected on June 20, the total number of free pints available was calculated to be 45,000.
Redemption Process Consumers were required to visit a specific digital portal, FreeKrogerIceCream.com, to obtain a limited-time, single-use digital coupon. This coupon served as the mechanism for claiming the free pint of ice cream.
Participating Locations The digital coupon was valid not only at Kroger but also at other retailers within the Kroger Family of Stores. Specifically, the source material mentions that the coupon could be used at: * Fred Meyer * Metro Market * Ralphs
Brand Statement Juan De Paoli, Vice President of Our Brands for Kroger, provided a statement regarding the promotion. He emphasized the connection between summer activities and the consumption of ice cream, stating, "Summer means more time with family, more time by the pool and more time indulging in our favorite treats, and nothing says a perfect summer day like sunshine and Kroger® Brand ice cream." He further noted the intent to give away ice cream for 15 hours straight.
Fred Meyer Fuel Points Promotion
In July 2017, Fred Meyer offered a promotion allowing customers to earn bonus fuel points on gift card purchases.
Promotion Timeline and Mechanics The "4X Fuel Points on Gift Cards" promotion was scheduled to run for two weeks, starting Sunday, July 24, 2016, and ending August 6, 2016. The promotion was also available at QFC stores starting July 27, 2016, through August 9, 2016.
Eligibility and Exclusions The offer applied to purchases of Third Party gift cards, which included gift cards for other retailers and restaurants, as well as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards in specific denominations ($25, $50, $100).
The promotion explicitly excluded the following: * Purchases of Kroger Co. Family of Stores gift cards * Airtime cards * Handsets * Gift cards where the amount is chosen by the purchaser and can be reloaded
Requirements To be eligible for the fuel points, purchases had to be made using a Shopper’s Card from the Kroger Family of Companies or a 1-2-3 REWARDS® Visa®. The source material advises customers to buy these gift cards not only as gifts but also for personal use to use them like cash at regular shopping destinations.
Fred Meyer and QFC Giveaway
A separate promotional event mentioned in the source material involved a giveaway for a $50 gift card redeemable at Fred Meyer or QFC.
Giveaway Status and Rules The specific blog post referenced in the source material noted that this giveaway had ended, with the winner identified as "Jenny." However, the details of the entry requirements provide insight into the standard operating procedures for such promotions.
Entry Requirements The standard entry required participants to answer a specific question: "What are some of your weekly errands (i.e. coffee) that you’d love to earn fuel points on?"
Eligibility The giveaway was restricted to U.S. residents who were 18 years of age or older. The winner was selected using a random number generator and was required to contact the organizer within 48 hours of notification to claim the prize.
General Discount Events at Fred Meyer
Source material also references a "Mega Event" occurring at Kroger-affiliated stores, including Fred Meyer. While the specific dates in the text refer to a period in April and May, the mechanics of the event are relevant to the store's promotional strategy.
Mega Event Mechanics The event operated on a "buy 4, save $4 instantly" basis for participating products (mix and match). * Example Product: Bounty Napkins were priced at $1.99 each when four participating products were purchased. * Coupon Stacking: Consumers could use printable coupons on top of the instant savings. For example, a $0.25/1 Bounty Napkins printable coupon would reduce the price to $1.74 each (when buying four).
Participating Affiliates These Mega Events are consistent across the Kroger Co. network. The specific affiliates listed as participating in this type of promotion include: * Ralphs * Smiths * Fred Meyer * QFC * Frys * King Soopers * City Market * Dillons * Gerbes * Bakers * Hilander * JayC Food * Pay Less Food * Scotts
Conclusion
The provided source material highlights specific consumer promotions within the Kroger ecosystem during the 2016-2017 timeframe. The primary focus was the "Summer is Delicious" initiative, which utilized a high-volume ice cream giveaway to drive consumer engagement. Fred Meyer supported this seasonal marketing with bonus fuel point incentives on third-party gift cards and standard mix-and-match discount events. Access to these offers generally required digital coupon acquisition or the use of a store loyalty card.