It’s shopping time! See here what are the best grocery chains that reward their loyal customers with incredible perks.
…Aaah shopping! Isn’t it the best feeling in the world to have a favorite, go-to store? That familiar place you visit regularly, maybe two or three times a week, not just out of habit, but because you know it has the most competitive prices. It’s where you can confidently get everything on your list for a few dollars cheaper than anywhere else, making your budget stretch just a little bit further. I absolutely live for that feeling of a smart, successful shopping trip!
But do you know what I like the most about these fantastic grocery chains? It’s when they decide to give back to the people who keep them in business. Their loyalty programs are, without a doubt, the best thing ever invented for a dedicated bargain hunter like me who is on a mission to get the absolute best deal every single time. It transforms a simple transaction into a rewarding experience. The unfortunate reality is that not every store offers this amazing perk, which is a real missed opportunity for them. That’s precisely why, after some serious and rigorous research, diving deep into the fine print and comparing the benefits, I’m excited to present a curated list of the best grocery chains. These are the stores that truly appreciate their customers enough to say “thank you” with more than just words—they do it with real, tangible savings.
Can you guess the number 1?
Walmart
Woohoo! Let’s kick things off with a retail giant. Walmart, one of the first grocery chains on our list, is a one-stop-shop powerhouse, right? With its vast selection and famously low prices, it’s already a go-to for millions. The sheer number of perks and conveniences makes it nearly impossible not to stop at a Walmart at least once a week for something. If you’re already a fan of this store and its everyday low prices, then hold onto your shopping cart because I have even greater news that will make your wallet very, very happy.
You can elevate your shopping game by joining Walmart+ and becoming their newest member for just $12.95 a month or an even more economical $98 for a full year. Trust me, you’ll likely be rushing to the membership page after you hear about all the incredible benefits packed into this program. The grocery chain’s premium membership, Walmart+, isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a serious savings tool. The company estimates that the membership can save you more than $1,300 annually, a figure that is entirely believable when you start adding up all the perks.
So what do you get for your money? An incredible number of advantages are available with it! First up, say goodbye to pesky shipping fees with free delivery on all online products from Walmart.com, and the best part is there’s no order minimum required! For your larger grocery hauls, you get unlimited free deliveries right to your doorstep on orders with a $35 minimum. On top of that, your membership includes a full subscription to the Paramount+ streaming service, so you can enjoy thousands of movies and TV shows. It’s like getting a shopping and entertainment bundle all in one. Isn’t that amazing?
But wait, there’s more! In addition, you receive the convenience of free returns right from your home—no more packing up the car and waiting in line at the store. You also get significant fuel discounts, saving you up to 10 cents per gallon at thousands of Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, and Murphy stations nationwide. Plus, members get early and exclusive access to special promotions and events, like Black Friday deals. One of my favorite features is the mobile scan & go, which lets you scan items as you shop in-store and pay with your phone to skip the checkout line entirely. It’s a complete package for the modern, savvy shopper.
Piggy Wiggly
Next up on our tour of super grocery chains that offer fantastic loyalty programs is the charming and well-known Piggly Wiggly. With a name that’s as memorable as its deals, this store has a unique way of paying its loyal customers back. They use a fun system of “Pig Points.” As you shop, you accumulate these points, which act like a special currency within the store. These valuable points can then be redeemed for discounts that typically pay for essentials like gas and food, directly lowering the cost of your future purchases.
Finding ways to use your points is part of the fun. To identify the specific products you can redeem your points for, all you have to do is scan your Piggly Wiggly Rewards Card at participating locations. As you walk the aisles, keep your eyes peeled for special shelf tags that say “Pig Points.” These tags will highlight items where you can get an instant discount by applying the points you’ve earned, making it super easy to spot the savings.
The loyalty program operates on a straightforward and easy-to-understand set of rules that directly translates your shopping into savings. For example, every 100 points you accumulate on your card gives you the power to earn $1 off a future purchase. The value scales up perfectly, so 500 points will get you a cool $5 off, and a stockpile of 1,000 points will slash a very satisfying $10 off your total bill. This system makes it simple to track your progress and see the tangible rewards of your loyalty.
Now, I understand that the idea of earning a thousand points might sound like you have to spend an excessive amount of money at Piggly Wiggly. However, if you are already a regular client who shops there weekly for your family’s needs, these points will accumulate faster than you think. You might as well take advantage of their discounts for the shopping you were already planning to do. Over the course of a year, those little discounts really do add up to a significant amount of savings.
Additionally, the savings extend beyond the grocery aisles. Be sure to look for participating gas stations that display a sign proclaiming, “Pig Points accepted here.” This is a fantastic way to turn your grocery shopping into direct savings at the pump, which is a huge help with today’s fuel prices. A word of caution, though: the points often have an expiration date. They are quickly expiring, so it’s wise to use them as you earn them. Act quickly if you want to access these great deals before they disappear!
Target
Of course, no list of the best grocery chains would be complete without the iconic red bullseye of Target. In fact, when I was compiling this list, I genuinely couldn’t decide which one I liked more, Walmart or Target. They both offer so much value. When it comes to the loyalty program specifically, Target might just have the edge for many people because its primary rewards program, Target Circle, is completely free to join. There are no monthly or annual fees. And with this relentless inflation we’re all dealing with, we definitely don’t need to be paying extra just to get access to some benefits, right? Free is my favorite price!
With Target Circle, you can browse and save deals on hundreds of products directly from your web browser or, more conveniently, through the mobile app. Once saved, these offers apply automatically at checkout. On top of those specific deals, you’ll also receive a straightforward 1 percent back in rewards on every single eligible purchase you make at Target. These earnings accumulate and can be redeemed on a future shopping trip. What’s truly powerful is that numerous Target Circle discounts can be stacked with manufacturer coupons and even Target’s own store sales to save even more money. Some of these combined offers can lead to massive savings, sometimes up to 50% off or even hundreds of dollars off the entire purchase price on larger items.
For the truly dedicated Target shopper, I have to mention the Target RedCard. While Target Circle is fantastic and free, the RedCard (available as a debit or credit card) is a game-changer. It gives you an instant 5% discount on nearly every purchase, every single day. The discount comes right off your total at the register, so there’s no waiting to redeem rewards. Plus, you get free shipping on most items from Target.com and an extended 30-day return window. You can’t combine the 1% Circle earnings with the 5% RedCard discount, but you still get access to all the exclusive Circle coupon offers, so you can stack those on top of your 5% off for maximum savings!
Using the program is incredibly simple. When you’re ready to check out in-store, you just enter the phone number associated with your account on the keypad or scan the barcode in your Target app wallet. This single action applies all your saved Circle offers and ensures you earn your 1% back on the purchase. It’s seamless! And don’t worry if you forget to do this during checkout. The app has a fantastic feature where you can scan the barcode on your physical receipt later on to retroactively apply the savings and earn your rewards. This way, your receipts are digitally stacked in the app, so you have a record without the fear of losing them and missing out on savings.
Publix
For shoppers in the Southeast, the well-liked Publix stores are a beacon of quality and customer service, and they extend that philosophy to their complimentary rewards program, Club Publix. The welcome wagon is rolled out immediately; you get a $5 off voucher right away when you sign up, which you can use on your very next shopping trip of $20 or more. That’s an instant return on your (free) investment! The members-only benefits continue with the ability to digitally clip hundreds of coupons, receive a special treat for your birthday (like a free dessert or other item), and get personalized weekly deals sent straight to your account based on your shopping history.
The free Publix app is your command center for savings and convenience. Within the app, you can build and organize your shopping lists, which is a lifesaver for busy weeknights. Even better, you can pay directly with the app at the register using a single QR code, which also applies your clipped coupons and loyalty info. No fumbling for cards! All your receipts are stored electronically in your account for easy tracking and returns, and you can access all your saved offers in your virtual wallet. Isn’t it awesome when technology makes saving money this easy? This level of integration and user-friendliness is one of the key reasons Publix stands out so high on the list of the best grocery chains that offer loyalty programs with a ton of genuinely useful perks.
Here’s a special perk for all the serious planners and deal-seekers out there: Club Publix members gain the exclusive advantage of being able to view the weekly ad one full day before it’s released to the general public. This early access allows you to plan your meals and shopping list around the best sales, especially the famous Publix BOGOs (Buy One, Get One Free), and ensures you can get to the store before the most popular items sell out. So be sure to check them out as soon as they drop! Ultimately, the Club Publix program is expertly designed to provide both significant cost savings and a more convenient, streamlined shopping experience.
Hey you shopping lover! Instead of buying those plastic bags every time you go to the store and spend more money, opt for reusable wallet-friendly shopping bags. Check out this 10-pack of 50LBS Extra large folding reusable tote bags available on Amazon that cost $16.79.
Sprouts Farmers Market
For those who prioritize fresh, natural, and organic foods, Sprouts Farmers Market is an absolute haven, and it’s definitely one of my personal favorite grocery chains. They back up their healthy-living ethos with a fantastic program that offers great discounts to its customers. By simply signing up for a free Sprouts account through their website or app, you immediately unlock access to a treasure trove of perks, including exclusive digital coupons, special price reductions, and even free delivery on the very first order you place through their website, which is a great way to try out the service.
Much like other top-tier programs, the Sprouts app is your digital key to savings. On the app, you can create and manage your shopping list, easily plan time windows for convenient curbside pickup or home delivery, and, most importantly, digitally “clip” dozens of coupons every week! These often include great deals on fresh produce, bulk bin items, and specialty vitamins. For even more convenience, you can connect your Sprouts and Instacart accounts. If you have an Instacart+ membership, you can receive free or significantly reduced-cost delivery and pickup on your Sprouts orders, making healthy eating more accessible than ever.
When using delivery or pickup services, whether through Sprouts directly or a partner like Instacart, keep in mind that you generally have to fulfill the minimum expenditure rule to qualify for the service or for free shipping promotions. To see how much it is, go check their website for further information.
Kroger
If you’re a loyal customer of Kroger, or any of its many affiliate stores like Ralphs, Fred Meyer, or Harris Teeter, then you already know this chain is a major player in the grocery game. Kroger operates several different store brands around the nation, and their powerful loyalty program often extends across them. Their premium paid membership program, called Boost, offers benefits that are heavily targeted towards online buyers who value convenience, but the savings also apply to e-commerce, in-store purchases, and, most notably, at their bustling gas stations.
The single most valuable part of the Kroger loyalty ecosystem, which is free for everyone with a Kroger card, is the Fuel Points program. This is a bargain hunter’s dream! You earn 1 Fuel Point for every $1 you spend on groceries. But the real hack is that you earn 2x Fuel Points on gift card purchases. Every 100 Fuel Points you accumulate gets you 10 cents off per gallon of gas on a single fill-up at a Kroger Fuel Center or participating Shell station. You can redeem up to 1,000 points at a time for a massive $1 off per gallon! By strategically buying gift cards for other places you already shop (like Amazon or restaurants), you can rack up fuel points incredibly fast and dramatically lower your transportation costs.
For those looking to supercharge their savings, members can apply for the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard. This co-branded credit card takes your cash back potential to the next level. New card members are eligible to receive an incredible 5% cash back on their first $3,000 in mobile wallet purchases (like Kroger Pay, Apple Pay, or Google Pay). After that, the card provides a solid 2% cash back on all purchases made within the Kroger family of stores and an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases made anywhere else Mastercard is accepted. The cash back is issued as rewards that can be easily redeemed for free groceries.
Winn-Dixie
When I say Winn-Dixie, a beloved supermarket staple in the Southeast, I can immediately think of a couple of compelling reasons why you should sign up for their loyalty program, Winn-Dixie Rewards. It’s a powerhouse of points and perks. Just by signing up and using the app, you can often find a digital coupon for $5 off a $30 purchase, giving you instant gratification. But the real value lies in gaining access to a whole tier of additional discounts that go far beyond what’s printed in the weekly ad. Furthermore, every purchase helps you gain points that can be redeemed for dollars off a future grocery bill, a truly rewarding cycle.
The program is heavily app-centric, which is great for digital-savvy shoppers. Every single week, a fresh batch of digital coupons and special bargains are added to the app. To get the best deals, you have to make sure you download it and log in regularly to “clip” and activate these offers. This is a critical incentive to join because many of the deepest digital discounts are exclusive and can only be accessed by members who have an account in the rewards club. If you’re not using the app, you’re literally leaving money on the table.
The Winn-Dixie Rewards app also provides a personalized experience. As you use it, the app learns your shopping habits and you’ll begin to see offers that have been hand-picked for you on items you buy most often. You can also use the app to build your shopping lists and see which of your items have a coupon available. Then, at the register, you can double down on discounts by simply scanning your unique QR code at checkout. This one scan applies your loyalty card, all your clipped coupons, and any point redemptions you want to use. It’s a simple, effective system for maximizing your savings on every trip.
So there you have it—a rundown of some of the absolute best loyalty programs in the grocery world! Each one offers a unique way to save money and get more value out of your regular shopping trips. Now I’m curious to hear from you. Which ones are your favorite grocery chains and why? Tell us all about your saving successes in the comments section below!
If you are into discovering even more shopping tips and money-saving tricks, you’re definitely in the right place because this article was just the tip of the iceberg! There’s a whole world of savings out there waiting to be unlocked. So, why stop here on your journey to becoming a master bargain hunter? Explore more of our guides to keep the momentum going. But if you are in a hurry right now, be sure to put a pin on this one to read it later: 10 Negotiation Techniques for Successful Bargaining: Get the Price YOU WANT!
