As a retiree trying to make every dollar count, finding out the truth about the Kroger senior discount can make a real difference in your budget.
If you shop at Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, JayC, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Pay-Less, Pick ’n Save, QFC, Ralphs, or Smith’s, this article will give you clear and up-to-date information about senior savings at America’s largest supermarket chain.
Does Kroger Currently Offer a Traditional Senior Discount Day?
As of December 2025, Kroger no longer runs a nationwide “Senior Discount Day” with a fixed percentage off (such as the old 10% on Wednesdays that some locations offered years ago).
The company ended most location-specific senior discount programs between 2020 and 2023 and replaced them with new digital and loyalty-based savings.
This change surprised many longtime shoppers, but Kroger says the goal is to give every customer, including seniors, bigger and more frequent savings through personalized offers rather than a single blanket discount.
What Replaced the Old Kroger Senior Discount?
Kroger now focuses on three main programs that often save seniors even more money than the old 5–10% senior day:
- Kroger Plus Loyalty Program (free to join)
- Clip hundreds of digital coupons every week
- Earn fuel points (save up to $1 per gallon at Kroger Fuel Centers and participating Shell stations)
- Get free pickup on orders of $35 or more at most stores
- Boost by Kroger (paid membership – $59 or $99 per year)
- 2X fuel points every day
- Free next-day delivery on orders over $35
- Extra monthly coupons and free gifts Many seniors find the $59 plan pays for itself quickly if they shop regularly.
- Personalized Digital Coupons and Weekly Ads Kroger’s app and website send coupons based on what you actually buy. Seniors who buy prescriptions, vitamins, canned goods, or fresh produce often receive deeper discounts than the old senior day offered.
Special Kroger Savings That Especially Help Seniors
Even without a traditional Kroger senior discount day, several current programs are very friendly to retirees on fixed incomes:
- Prescription Savings Club Hundreds of generic medications for $3–$6 for a 30-day supply or $6–$12 for 90 days. No age requirement, but widely used by seniors.
- 55+ Fresh Boost Program (select markets) A few states still test a modern version of senior savings. Customers 55 and older get extra digital coupons on fresh produce, dairy, and bakery items. Check your local store or the Kroger app to see if your zip code qualifies.
- Military & Senior Appreciation Events Some individual stores hold occasional “Senior Appreciation Days” with 10% off or free coffee and donuts. These are not chain-wide, so call your store manager or watch the weekly ad.
- Low-price “Kroger Brand” products Kroger, Private Selection, Simple Truth, and Heritage Farm items are often 20–40% cheaper than national brands with the same quality.
How to Make Sure You Get Every Possible Discount at Kroger
Follow these easy steps to maximize savings:
- Sign up for a free Kroger Plus card (digital or physical.
- Download the Kroger app and turn on notifications.
- Enter your birth date in your Kroger.com account – this sometimes unlocks age-based offers.
- Clip digital coupons before you shop (they load directly to your card).
- Scan your Plus card or enter your alternate ID (phone number) at checkout.
- Check the weekly ad online every Wednesday for new sales.
Kroger vs. Other Grocery Stores: How Do Senior Discounts Compare?
Many seniors also ask “does Publix offer senior discount?” The answer is no – Publix stopped its 5% senior discount on Wednesdays in 2022. Like Kroger, Publix now relies on BOGO deals and digital coupons.
Here is a quick comparison:
- Kroger: No fixed senior day, but strong digital coupons and fuel points
- Publix: No senior discount, famous for buy-one-get-one-free offers
- Walmart: No senior discount
- Aldi: No senior discount, but already very low prices
- Meijer: 55+ shoppers sometimes get 10% on the first Tuesday of the month (varies by store)
- Safeway/Albertsons: Some locations still offer 10% on the first Wednesday (check locally)
Final Thoughts: Is Kroger Still a Good Choice for Seniors?
Yes – even without a traditional Kroger senior discount day, most retirees save more today through digital coupons, fuel points, and the free pickup service than they did with the old 5–10% discount. The key is joining the free Kroger Plus program and using the app regularly.
See Also:
Take five minutes this week to download the Kroger app, enter your birth date, and browse the digital coupons. You will likely find personalized offers that beat the old senior discount – often 15–50% off the items you buy most.
Happy shopping, and enjoy the savings you deserve!
