Angling for share of tax windfall, Kroger offers innovative gift card

CINCINNATI In one of the more creative efforts to encourage its customers to spend their tax refunds or rebates at its stores, Kroger Co. announced a new gift card exchange program Wednesday that provides free groceries or other goods in exchange for the tax windfall.

Under the new promotion, Kroger customers can trade their tax refunds or economic stimulus checks for a Kroger gift card with an extra $30.00, $60.00 or $120.00 added to it. Gift card amounts correspond to the payment amounts outlined by the Internal Revenue Service for the federal economic stimulus program.

The offer is good from May 2 through July 31, 2008, at any Kroger-owned store nationwide, including Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Hilander, Jay C, King Soopers, Owen’s, Pay Less, Ralphs, Smith’s and QFC stores. To participate, customers must present their refund or stimulus check and customer loyalty card at their local store’s customer service center.

Kroger chairman and chief executive officer David Dillon said the gift card swap “allows our customers to stretch their grocery dollars further.”