SAVVY SAVINGS: Beloved Grocery Chain Launches First Rewards Program – Spot the Dots!
According to The Sun, Save A Lot, a popular American grocery chain with over 800 stores nationwide, has introduced its inaugural loyalty program. Known for its distinctive red dot logo, the discount retailer encourages customers to spot the “dots,” which represent new opportunities for shoppers to save money.
New Mobile App Features
The loyalty program, available through a mobile app, allows customers to earn “dots” with every purchase, which can be redeemed for free products. Additionally, the app provides access to exclusive coupons and special deals, enhancing the overall shopping experience.
Trey Johnson, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Save A Lot, commented, “Save A Lot Rewards marks our evolution in the digital space. Even as an independent wholesaler, we recognize the importance of personalized and incentivized shopping.” He emphasized the benefits of the loyalty program for both customers and the company, stating that it will help Save A Lot better understand its shoppers and serve them effectively.
Downloading the Save A Lot Rewards App
Customers can download the Save A Lot Rewards app from the Apple and Android app stores. The program will also feature one-time weekly offers for both new and existing loyalty members until November 19.
Store Closure Amid Financial Struggles
The launch of the loyalty program comes after Save A Lot confirmed the closure of one of its stores in Buffalo, New York. Efforts to salvage the location proved unsuccessful, leading to its permanent shutdown.
Ron Horrigan, the store owner, revealed that the business had been losing money for years, a situation worsened by recent events. “Everything went downhill after we got looted,” he told The Buffalo News. The store experienced multiple looting incidents in 2022, and the insurance deductible of $5,000 did not cover the costs of cleanup and restocking.
Impact of the Pandemic and Crime
The COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic effect on the store’s finances, with foot traffic decreasing by 50% this year, according to Horrigan. The area has been particularly hard-hit by shoplifting, with Horrigan noting that theft has been worse than at his other locations in Chaffee, Cheektowaga, and North Collins.
Compounding the issue, Horrigan is six months behind on rental payments, facing an increase in minimum wage and food delivery costs that has added $21,000 to his expenses. Despite seeking financial assistance from the city, his request for a grant was denied by Mayor Byron Brown, who cited that his sales were too high to qualify.
Community Concerns and Future Prospects
Horrigan expressed frustration at the city’s response to the store’s closure, highlighting the community’s designation as a “food desert.” “The city, they all cry when somebody leaves, ‘Oh, it’s a food desert. Nobody’s coming in,'” he said. “Well, they don’t do anything when somebody’s going out, either.”
Attempts by Upstate Supermarket, a Save A Lot franchisee with nine locations, to take over the struggling store were unsuccessful due to a failure to agree on lease terms with Broadway Market and Upstate Market. As Save A Lot navigates these challenges, its new loyalty program may play a crucial role in attracting and retaining customers in the future.
