Triples: What's the catch?

[GardenGnome]

I'm sure someone knows this answer and maybe it's a dumb question... WHY does Harris Teeter do triple coupons especially so frequently now. The only thing I can think of is that they hope people aren't getting all the frees and are using Qs on their overpriced non-sale items and that while people are in the store they buy a bunch of other overpriced stuff that they don't have Qs for (so increased foot traffic) and/or that triples leaves consumers with a positive feeling about Harris Teeter so that maybe they will start giving HT their money during non-triples too. Is that why or is it something else?

Also, I'm under the assumption that manufacturers do not reimburse HT for the "multiplied" part of the coupon. So....why do manufacturers go to the effort of stating "Do not Double" on their Qs??

Anyone?? These are the things I wonder when I'm reorganizing my pantry to fit 5 bags of triples groceries!

[ryansmommie]

Triple coupons are actual very profitable for Harris Teeter. Most people don't coupon like the people on this sight. They think that if they have a coupon for an item, they should buy it. Like you said, it's a promotion to get increased foot traffic in the store.

Michelle

[jojosam]

If you notice, they are running triples during the last week of the month, typically a slow time at the grocery store because most people won't be getting paid again for a couple of days. During the last triples, my cashier said that they had done record sales that week. The number of people coming in had increased incredibly.

[hburnette3]

IMO

The people that normally shop at HT won't even touch a coupon. They are normally the snotty rich people. Tripling draws in the other people (coupon lovers/deal seekers that normally wouldn't go there b/c of there prices.) This takes business away from all the competion ( IE - Food Lion). Work around the employee's in the backrooms at FL for a while you will see that they are hurting right now. I'm pretty sure HT doesn't have that problem. I would say triples/doubles have a lot to do with it.
I'm not sure about HT. But normally sales are based on the # of items sold not the amount of $ paid.

All this is IMO. I may be totally of base.

[Andra]

1. They are getting reimbursed for the coupons face value at the very least--so even if you get something free with a .75 q it's like you really paid the store .75 + .08 handling fee.

2. They more than make up for any loss in profits by people buying things they normally would that week anyway--example: A working mom that has to shop after work and drag the kids along is less likely to want to go to another store to get milk and salad mix even if it's cheaper elsewhere. She's going to pay HT prices. Very few people super-coupon and only get the sale items like we do. I saw tons of couponers yesterday. Most of them had their carts full with generic items as well as coupon items--they are getting what they need for the week in addition to what's free or cheap.

3. Harris Teeter's great customer service and high-quality are a big draw. HT has the freshest meat (and I can usually find marked down organics), quality produce (usually locally grown), and a big variety of specialty items. If I were wealthy and didn't use coupons I would go to HT for this alone. The fact that they are THE most coupon friendly store in town does make me more loyal (as far as my pocketbook allows--If HT has the same deal as another store I want to go to HT more).

4. I think they are stepping up the number of triples event because of competition in certain markets. In a bad economy the grocery store is one of the few businesses that still makes money--people still have to eat, do their laundry, etc. Bloom and Bilo are in their area, I think, and they have ocaisional triples. I heard they are building a Bloom in Raleigh (never been their so I'm excited). Two new Lowes Foods have opened here in the last year. I also know of at least one new HT location being built in my area. The grocery stores are making money or they wouldn't be doing all this building.

[thompson589741]

1. They are getting reimbursed for the coupons face value at the very least--so even if you get something free with a .75 q it's like you really paid the store .75 + .08 handling fee.

2. They more than make up for any loss in profits by people buying things they normally would that week anyway--example: A working mom that has to shop after work and drag the kids along is less likely to want to go to another store to get milk and salad mix even if it's cheaper elsewhere. She's going to pay HT prices. Very few people super-coupon and only get the sale items like we do. I saw tons of couponers yesterday. Most of them had their carts full with generic items as well as coupon items--they are getting what they need for the week in addition to what's free or cheap.

3. Harris Teeter's great customer service and high-quality are a big draw. HT has the freshest meat (and I can usually find marked down organics), quality produce (usually locally grown), and a big variety of specialty items. If I were wealthy and didn't use coupons I would go to HT for this alone. The fact that they are THE most coupon friendly store in town does make me more loyal (as far as my pocketbook allows--If HT has the same deal as another store I want to go to HT more).

4. I think they are stepping up the number of triples event because of competition in certain markets. In a bad economy the grocery store is one of the few businesses that still makes money--people still have to eat, do their laundry, etc. Bloom and Bilo are in their area, I think, and they have ocaisional triples. I heard they are building a Bloom in Raleigh (never been their so I'm excited). Two new Lowes Foods have opened here in the last year. I also know of at least one new HT location being built in my area. The grocery stores are making money or they wouldn't be doing all this building.

I totally agree, I feel like their prices are high..but look at most stores. you know the quality is better, and customer service is great! I love thier produce and meat section, pretty much always clean and good food out too. also, a lot of people are turning to Walmart to do their grocery shopping, because A) it seems more convenient if you have other things to get than just groceries B) people think it's cheaper than any other store. but as we all know that is definitly not the case when coupons are doubled or tripled. plus walmart doesn't have great sales like bogo sales or anything. it's funny to tell someone you prefer to shop at ht and use coupons than shop at walmart. I laugh when I see their commercial on how you can save so much more by shopping there. Triples are awesome, and not that many people heavily coupon like so many of us do, so it still ends up being profitable because people will use a few coupons to save a few bucks and still get the other stuff they normally buy. I think you said it very well.

on another note. I had asked a bilo manager a few weeks back, how come bilo wasn't going to do another triples (because it's been more than a year is my understanding) and he said because the extra coupon savings comes out of their pockets, and most of the time it's people ONLY using coupons and buying things with coupons, not getting the extras, when they have the event, and they don't make much money.

Harris Teeter is definitely doing something right. I used to never shop their because they were way too high. but now, it's my favorite store.

[momofmany]

EVERY grocery store is competing for customers, and around here that means pretty stiff competition. Bloom triples, HT triples, Shoppers Food Warehouse double/triples, Giant dollar doublers coupons, it's FIERCE competition!

They know that most (I think it's something like 60%) of purchases are impulse, so they really only have to get the average customer in the store. As mentioned, few shoppers are like we couponers, only after the best deals.

I have to say, if money were no object I'd probably shop HT most of the time, since they are so polite and have a good selection of organic produce (for a regular grocery store) at not too over inflated prices.

[riley1319]

I agree that all grocery stores are fighting with one another for business. This economy has forced many more people to become mindful of their shopping habits and couponing is becoming MUCH more commonplace.

I only shop HT because of its proximity to my home (the first HT location - in the 'hood - would likely be considered slumming by the "snotty rich"). I stockpile during triples and meal plan around sales otherwise.

I feel sorry for people who shop during triples without any sort of qs. They are being robbed.

[Alice of the Palace]

Lol Love the comment about the snotty rich people!! I was in line during Easter week behind a woman that spent a little over $300 and no coupons in sight. I over heard her mention to her daughter that it wouldn't even last the week! I have no idea how many she was feeding but I felt great when I checked out with my forty some dollars order on which I had saved half. I really think HT is trying to help their customers out,I have noticed a lot more HT brand items with low prices. And our one and only store use to have triples only once or twice a year but are now having them when everyone else does. I don't have to and I don't buy the high price items,I buy sale items sometimes without coupons but do prefer to use coupons. If you have noticed HT isn't the only grocery store that has raised their prices!

[momabrown3]

I agree that all grocery stores are fighting with one another for business. This economy has forced many more people to become mindful of their shopping habits and couponing is becoming MUCH more commonplace.

I only shop HT because of its proximity to my home (the first HT location - in the 'hood - would likely be considered slumming by the "snotty rich"). I stockpile during triples and meal plan around sales otherwise.

I feel sorry for people who shop during triples without any sort of qs. They are being robbed.

Wish my HT was in the hood.
My HT is in a very $$$$$$$$$$$ rich neighborhood.The prices are higher due to the location at my HT store.