You've landed one of the great perks of working at Kroger – the employee discount! It's a fantastic way to save money on groceries and other items, making your hard-earned pay go even further. But if you're new to the team or just haven't quite figured out how to maximize those savings, don't worry, you're in the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of using your Kroger employee discount effectively, both in-store and online.
Step 1: Confirming Your Eligibility and Understanding the Basics
First things first, let's make sure you're all set to unlock those savings! Have you officially completed your onboarding process? This is usually when your employee discount gets activated.
Sub-heading: What Does the Discount Cover?
Kroger's employee discount is pretty generous and typically covers a variety of items. While the exact percentages can vary and sometimes depend on your role or store location, here's a general overview of what you can expect:
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10% off Our Brands and Electronics: This is a big one! "Our Brands" include Kroger brand products, Simple Truth, Private Selection, and many more. This can add up significantly on your weekly grocery bill.
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15% off Home items: Think kitchenware, small appliances, bedding, and more from the general merchandise sections.
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20% off Apparel and Fred Meyer Jewelry: If your Kroger location includes apparel or a Fred Meyer Jewelers, you're in for some serious savings on clothing and accessories.
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Up to 40% off on Vitacost brands: This is fantastic for health and wellness products!
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Other discounts: Kroger also partners with various companies to offer discounts on things like cell phone plans (e.g., AT&T, Verizon), hotels and travel, movie tickets, amusement parks, and even auto and home insurance.
Important Note: The discount generally does not apply to certain items like alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, gift cards, pharmacy prescriptions, or fuel (though you still earn fuel points on eligible purchases). Random weight items like bulk deli meat might also be excluded from certain discounts.
Sub-heading: The Link to Your Kroger Plus Card
Your employee discount is almost always linked directly to your Kroger Plus Card (or whatever loyalty card is used by your specific Kroger banner, such as Fred Meyer, Ralphs, King Soopers, etc.). If you don't have one, or if you're unsure if yours is linked, this is a crucial step!
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Existing Plus Card Holders: Your HR department or store manager should have linked your employee ID to your existing Kroger Plus Card number during your onboarding. It might take a few weeks for this to fully activate.
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New Plus Card Users: You can easily sign up for a Kroger Plus Card at the customer service desk in any Kroger Family of Stores or online at Kroger.com. Once you have the card number, ensure it's provided to your HR or management to link your employee discount.
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| How Do I Use My Kroger Employee Discount |
Step 2: Utilizing Your Discount In-Store
This is where the magic happens for your everyday grocery runs!
Sub-heading: At the Checkout Lane (Manned Registers)
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Shop as Usual: Fill your cart with all your favorite Kroger items (and those fantastic "Our Brands" products!).
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Present Your Plus Card: When you reach the cashier, always present your Kroger Plus Card first. This is how the system identifies you as an employee and applies the relevant discounts. You can use:
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Your physical Kroger Plus Card.
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Your phone number associated with your Plus Card.
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The digital card within the Kroger app.
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Confirm the Discount: Politely watch the screen or your receipt. You should see the discounts applied to eligible items. Sometimes, it might appear as a specific "Associate Discount" line item, or the prices of the items themselves will reflect the reduced cost.
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Employee ID (Sometimes Required): While most stores link the discount directly to your Plus Card, some locations or specific promotions might require you to show your employee ID badge to the cashier for verification. It's a good idea to have it handy, especially when you're first starting out.
Tip: Don’t skip the details — they matter.
Sub-heading: Using Self-Checkout
Yes, your employee discount works at self-checkout too!
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Scan Your Items: Proceed as normal, scanning each of your items.
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Scan Your Plus Card/Enter Number: At the appropriate prompt, scan your physical Kroger Plus Card or enter the phone number associated with it.
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Alert the Attendant (If Needed): If the discount doesn't seem to apply automatically, or if it's a specific "employee discount day" or promotion, you might need to alert the self-checkout attendant. They can manually apply the discount after verifying your employee status (they might ask to see your ID).
Sub-heading: Special Discount Days/Periods
Kroger occasionally offers enhanced employee discounts during specific periods or on certain days, often on a wider range of items or with higher percentages. For instance, some locations have historically offered 10% off all Kroger items (excluding random weight) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
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Stay Informed: Keep an eye on internal communications, store bulletin boards, or ask your supervisor about any upcoming special employee discount events.
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Know the Exclusions: Always be aware of any specific exclusions for these special events, as they can differ from the regular everyday discounts.
Step 3: Leveraging Your Discount for Online Orders (Pickup & Delivery)
With the rise of online shopping, it's essential to know how your employee discount applies to digital orders.
Sub-heading: Linking Your Digital Account
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Create/Log In to Your Digital Account: If you haven't already, make sure you have a digital account on Kroger.com or through the Kroger app.
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Link Your Plus Card: Ensure your Kroger Plus Card number is linked to your digital account. This is usually done during the account creation process, but you can verify it in your account settings. Your employee discount is tied to this Plus Card number.
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Verify Your Employee Status (If Applicable): While your discount is usually automatically linked if your Plus Card is associated with your employee profile, some systems might require a one-time verification. Check with your HR or the digital customer service if you encounter issues.
Sub-heading: Placing Pickup Orders
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Build Your Cart Online: Shop for your groceries on Kroger.com or the Kroger app as you normally would for a pickup order.
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No Discount Seen Online (Initially): Don't be alarmed if you don't see the employee discount applied to your order total when you're checking out online. For pickup orders, the discount is typically applied at the time of pickup.
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Present ID at Pickup: When you arrive for your pickup order, be prepared to show your employee ID to the carside attendant. They will then apply your employee discount to the final bill. The savings will come off your total when you complete the transaction.
Sub-heading: For Delivery Orders
Using your employee discount for delivery orders can sometimes be a bit trickier, as it depends on how the discount system integrates with the delivery platform.
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Check Your Local Store's Policy: The best approach is to confirm with your store's management or HR how employee discounts are handled for delivery. Some stores may require you to pay at the door and show your ID, while others might have a system for applying it directly through your digital account.
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Potential for "Boost" Membership Benefits: If you're a Kroger Boost member (which offers free delivery on orders over a certain amount and 2x Fuel Points), your employee discount generally stacks with Boost benefits for eligible items. However, the 2x Fuel Points from Boost typically replace your standard fuel point earning on those purchases.
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Direct Contact if Unsure: If you're unsure how to apply your discount for a delivery order, it's always best to contact Kroger customer service or your store directly before placing the order.
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
Step 4: Maximizing Your Savings and Understanding Limitations
Now that you know how to use it, let's talk about getting the most out of your discount!
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Sub-heading: Combining with Other Savings
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Digital Coupons: Your employee discount absolutely stacks with digital coupons! Always clip digital coupons on the Kroger app or website before you shop. This is one of the most powerful ways to save.
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Weekly Ads/Sales: The discount will apply to the sale price of eligible items, not the original price, giving you even greater savings.
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Fuel Points: You still earn fuel points on your eligible purchases, even with the employee discount applied. This is a separate benefit that can save you big at the pump.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations and Limitations
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Not for Resale: Your employee discount is for your personal and household use only. Purchasing items for resale or for others outside your immediate household is against policy and could lead to disciplinary action.
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Know the Exclusions: As mentioned, some items are always excluded (alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, etc.). Familiarize yourself with these to avoid surprises at checkout.
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Check Your Receipt: Always review your receipt to ensure the discount was applied correctly. If you notice an issue, speak with a cashier or customer service representative before leaving the store.
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Activation Time: If you're a new employee, remember there might be a short waiting period (a few days to a couple of weeks) before your discount is fully active. If it's not working after this period, follow up with your HR or store manager.
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System Glitches: Occasionally, technology can be finicky. If your discount doesn't seem to be applying, calmly explain the situation to the cashier or attendant. They can usually manually adjust it or guide you on troubleshooting.
Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with the best intentions, sometimes things don't go as planned.
Sub-heading: Discount Not Appearing
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Re-scan Plus Card/Re-enter Phone Number: Sometimes a simple re-scan or re-entry of your loyalty information can fix it.
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Verify Linkage: Double-check with your HR or store management that your employee ID is correctly linked to your Kroger Plus Card number in their system. They can usually look this up for you.
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Check MyInfo/Employee Portal: Many companies have an internal employee portal (like Kroger's MyInfo) where you can verify your personal information, including your loyalty card linkage.
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Recent Hire?: If you're a recent hire, it might just be a matter of waiting a little longer for the system to update.
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Ask a Supervisor: If a cashier can't resolve it, ask to speak with a supervisor or manager. They often have the tools to manually apply the discount or investigate further.
Sub-heading: Incorrect Discount Amount
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Item Eligibility: Ensure the items you're purchasing are indeed eligible for the discount. For example, some items may only qualify for the "Our Brands" discount, not a general percentage off.
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Special Promotion Dates: If you were expecting a special discount (like 10% off everything), confirm that you're shopping on the correct day(s) for that promotion.
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Consult Management: If you believe the discount applied is incorrect, bring it to the attention of a manager or customer service desk immediately.
By following these steps, you'll be a pro at using your Kroger employee discount in no time! Enjoy the savings and all the fantastic benefits that come with being part of the Kroger family!
How to Use Your Kroger Employee Discount: FAQs
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
Here are 10 related FAQ questions with quick answers to help you navigate your Kroger employee discount:
How to I get my Kroger employee discount activated?
Your employee discount is typically activated automatically once your employee ID is linked to your Kroger Plus Card number by your HR or management during your onboarding process. It may take a few days to a couple of weeks to become active.
How to I know if my Kroger employee discount is working?
When checking out in-store, look for the discount applied on the screen or your receipt. It might appear as a specific "Associate Discount" line item or as reduced prices on eligible items. For pickup, the discount is applied at the time of pickup.
How to I use my Kroger employee discount online for delivery?
Using your discount for delivery can vary by location. It's best to confirm with your store's management or HR, as some systems apply it automatically if your Plus Card is linked, while others might require you to pay at the door and show your ID.
How to I use my Kroger employee discount with digital coupons?
Yes, your employee discount stacks with digital coupons! Simply clip the digital coupons in your Kroger app or online account, and they will apply in addition to your employee discount on eligible items.
How to I link my Kroger Plus Card to my employee discount?
Your HR or store management is responsible for linking your employee ID to your Kroger Plus Card number. If you have an existing card, provide them with the number. If not, sign up for one and then give the number to HR.
Tip: Jot down one takeaway from this post.
How to I use my Kroger employee discount at self-checkout?
At self-checkout, scan your items, then scan your Kroger Plus Card or enter your associated phone number. If the discount doesn't appear, politely alert the self-checkout attendant, who can assist in applying it.
How to I find out what items are eligible for my Kroger employee discount?
Generally, you receive discounts on "Our Brands" (Kroger brand, Simple Truth, Private Selection), electronics, home goods, apparel, and Fred Meyer Jewelry. Specific exclusions include alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, and pharmacy prescriptions. Your HR can provide a detailed list.
How to I resolve an issue if my Kroger employee discount isn't applying?
First, re-scan your Plus Card or re-enter your phone number. If it still doesn't work, verify with your HR or store manager that your discount is correctly linked to your Plus Card. If all else fails, speak to a supervisor or manager at the checkout.
How to I get discounts on non-grocery items like cell phone plans through Kroger?
Kroger often partners with external companies (like AT&T or Verizon) for additional employee perks. Check your internal employee portal (e.g., MyInfo) or ask HR for information on how to access these specific partner discounts, as they usually require separate verification processes.
How to I learn about special employee discount days or promotions?
Stay informed by checking internal company communications (like email newsletters or internal portals), store bulletin boards, or by asking your supervisor or a team lead. These special promotions are often announced in advance.
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