Publix customers in Florida can now redeem paperless coupons for small discounts on store items, but the technology is not available in Miami -- yet.
Only Publix stores in Ocala are equipped with new technology that can accept the digital coupons.
To use the coupons, customers must first create an account at publix.com/dcoupon with a phone number and email address. Once signed up, a shopper can "clip" the coupon by sending a digital copy to their email address. To redeem, the shopper simply tells the cashier their phone number and it is automatically applied to the items listed.
So far, about 60 coupons are available for everything from brand-name hot dogs to cat food, with savings of no more than $3 per item. The user's online account keeps track of which coupons have been clipped. Only one coupon per item per customer per day is allowed. Redeeming coupons this way might actually cut down on fraud.
Shoppers can't print coupons with this system, but Publix has a deal with Coupons.com, from which coupons can be printed. Beyond this, Publix should look into the app market so customers can redeem coupons the same way customers can pay at Starbucks. Just saying.
And no other South Florida grocers allow digital coupons that do not require clipping. Hmm, it seems a grocery trend could be on the rise.
Publix is testing the system and taking feedback from employees and consumers to see how well it works, says Kimberly Reynolds, a spokeswoman for the grocer's South Florida region.
There is no word on when, or if, South Florida Publix stores will accept
digital coupons, but if all goes well, we hope it'll be soon.
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