Many U.S. consumers are turning to grocery store freebies and promotional perks to reduce household expenses. According to deal-hunting resources, shoppers can access a variety of no-cost offers, ranging from physical products to valuable services, by utilizing store loyalty programs and specific promotional strategies. These opportunities are often available at major drugstores and grocery chains, including CVS, Walmart, Kroger, Dollar General, Publix, Meijer, and Food Lion.
While some offers provide free products, others function as "moneymakers," where rebates and coupons result in a net profit for the shopper. To access these deals, consumers are frequently required to sign up for free store loyalty programs. Kroger, for example, offers freebies based on a customer's shopping history, with more frequent shoppers receiving more offers. These may appear as "Best Customer Bonus" freebie offers, which are not available for all accounts, or as mailer coupons.
In addition to product samples, many supermarkets provide complimentary services that add value to the shopping experience. These include butcher services, such as cutting meat to order and providing cooking advice; free steaming of lobsters at Big Y stores in the Northeast; and free grocery pickup on orders over $35 at Kroger and Meijer. Other perks include access to in-house magazines like Savory from Stop & Shop and Connection from Costco, as well as how-to guides and videos on produce preparation and kitchen skills available from ShopRite and Publix. Some chains also offer knife sharpening and consultations with registered dietitians for nutrition advice.
Digital tools also play a significant role in accessing freebies. The Shopmium app allows users to earn grocery cashback and access exclusive supermarket offers. Similarly, rebate portal sites like BeFrugal, Rakuten, Capital One Shopping, and Extrabux enable shoppers to earn cash back on online purchases by starting their shopping journey at these portals.
Beyond the grocery aisle, consumers can find free food at restaurants during specific promotional days. These include free California Tortilla chips and queso, a free cookie from Great American Cookies, and a free Schlotzsky’s sandwich on tax day in April. Mother’s Day offers free treats for moms at restaurants like McCormick & Schmick's and Fogo de Chao. In June, National Donut Day brings free doughnuts from Dunkin' Donuts, Krispy Kreme, and others. A free 7-Eleven Slurpee is available on July 11, and Veterans Day in November offers free meals for veterans at Applebee's, Chili's, Golden Corral, and more.
The digital landscape offers free entertainment and educational resources. Consumers can listen to unlimited podcast episodes without subscription fees using apps like TuneIn Radio, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify. For those interested in learning an instrument, websites and apps such as Hoffman Academy and Drum Ambition offer free tutorials and practice sheet music.
For shoppers in the U.S., loyalty programs offer another avenue for earning rewards. By participating in quick surveys through programs like Tesco Shopper Thoughts and Nectar Canvass, customers can earn points for providing feedback on their shopping experiences. These points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.
Conclusion
U.S. consumers have numerous opportunities to access free products, services, and digital content through grocery store loyalty programs, brand promotions, and digital apps. By signing up for store loyalty cards and utilizing rebate portals, shoppers can find freebies and even "moneymaker" deals at major chains like Kroger, Publix, and Meijer. Additionally, promotional days at restaurants and free digital resources for music and podcasts provide further ways to save money without sacrificing quality.