Grocery prices can take a big bite out of a monthly budget, especially for seniors living on a fixed income. While coupons, loyalty programs, and cash-back apps can help, some grocery stores offer an additional way to save: senior discounts.
Senior grocery discounts aren’t as widespread as they once were, and many major chains have replaced them with loyalty programs or personalized promotions. However, some grocery stores still offer special savings for older shoppers, often on a specific day of the week or month.
If you’re looking to stretch your grocery budget, here are some grocery stores that may offer senior discounts.
Contents
- 1. Harris Teeter
- 2. Fred Meyer
- 3. New Seasons Market
- 4. Bashas’
- 5. Fry’s Food Stores
- 6. Brookshire’s
- 7. DeCicco & Sons
- 8. BI-LO
- 9. Hy-Vee
- 10. Publix
- 11. Kroger
- 12. Albertsons
- 13. Safeway
- 14. Piggly Wiggly
- 15. Local and Independent Grocery Stores
- Grocery Stores That Typically Don’t Offer Senior Discounts
- How to Find Senior Grocery Discounts Near You
- Other Ways Seniors Can Save on Groceries
- The Bottom Line
1. Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter offers a Club 60 program for shoppers age 60 and older. Eligible shoppers can receive a 5% discount on qualifying purchases on Thursdays by using their VIC card.
Some exclusions may apply, so it’s worth checking with your local store before shopping.
Typical discount: 5% off on Thursdays
Age requirement: 60+
2. Fred Meyer
Some Fred Meyer locations have offered senior discount days for shoppers age 55 and older. Availability, discount amounts, and eligible products may vary by location and promotion.
Because senior discounts can change, contact your local Fred Meyer store to see whether a senior savings day is currently available.
Typical discount: Varies
Age requirement: Often 55+
3. New Seasons Market
New Seasons Market has offered a senior discount day for shoppers age 65 and older at participating locations. The discount is typically available on Wednesdays and may exclude certain products.
Typical discount: 10% off on Wednesdays
Age requirement: 65+
4. Bashas’
Bashas’ has traditionally offered a senior discount to shoppers age 55 and older on the first Wednesday of each month. Eligible shoppers may receive a percentage off qualifying purchases when using a Thank You Card.
Typical discount: 10% off on the first Wednesday of the month
Age requirement: 55+
5. Fry’s Food Stores
Some Fry’s Food Stores locations may offer senior discount promotions on designated days. Since Fry’s is part of the Kroger family of stores, policies can vary by location and market.
Ask your local store whether a senior discount or special senior shopping promotion is currently available.
Typical discount: Varies by location
Age requirement: Varies
6. Brookshire’s
Some Brookshire’s stores have offered senior discount days for shoppers who meet certain age requirements. The exact discount, eligible day, and participating locations may vary.
Typical discount: Varies by location
Age requirement: Varies
7. DeCicco & Sons
DeCicco & Sons, a grocery chain serving communities in New York, may offer senior discounts at participating locations. The specific age requirement and discount can vary, so shoppers should check with their nearest store.
Typical discount: Varies
Age requirement: Varies by location
8. BI-LO
Some independently operated or regional BI-LO stores may offer senior discounts or special savings days. Because the BI-LO brand has undergone significant changes over the years, availability is highly dependent on location.
Typical discount: Varies
Age requirement: Varies
9. Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee does not have a universal chain-wide senior discount, but some individual locations may offer senior discount days or other special promotions for older shoppers.
Since Hy-Vee stores have some flexibility in their local promotions, it never hurts to ask at customer service.
Typical discount: Varies by participating location
Age requirement: Varies
10. Publix
Publix does not currently offer a standard senior discount across all of its stores. However, certain locations or markets have historically offered senior savings promotions.
Shoppers should check with their local Publix to find out whether any special discounts are available.
Typical discount: Not available chain-wide
Age requirement: Varies if locally offered
11. Kroger
Kroger does not have a nationwide senior discount policy, but select locations and regional divisions may occasionally offer senior savings days or special promotions.
Even without a senior discount, Kroger shoppers can save through digital coupons, fuel points, weekly sales, and personalized offers through the store’s loyalty program.
Typical discount: Varies by location
Age requirement: Varies
12. Albertsons
Albertsons does not offer a universal senior discount at every location, but some stores may hold senior discount days or local promotions.
Check with your neighborhood Albertsons to see what’s available in your area.
Typical discount: Varies by location
Age requirement: Varies
13. Safeway
Like Albertsons, Safeway does not have a chain-wide senior discount available at every store. Some locations, however, may offer special senior days or localized promotions.
Typical discount: Varies by location
Age requirement: Varies
14. Piggly Wiggly
Because many Piggly Wiggly stores are independently owned and operated, senior discount policies vary widely. Some locations may offer percentage discounts on certain days of the week or month.
Your best bet is to call your local Piggly Wiggly and ask about its current senior discount policy.
Typical discount: Varies by store
Age requirement: Varies
15. Local and Independent Grocery Stores
Don’t overlook smaller neighborhood grocery stores, local supermarkets, food co-ops, and independently owned markets. These stores may offer senior discounts that aren’t widely advertised online.
Ask at the customer service desk whether the store offers:
- A weekly senior discount day
- A monthly senior appreciation day
- Discounts for shoppers age 55, 60, 62, or 65+
- Special loyalty club offers for seniors
- Discounts on specific departments or services
A simple question could uncover savings you didn’t know existed.
Grocery Stores That Typically Don’t Offer Senior Discounts
Many popular grocery retailers do not offer a standard nationwide senior discount. These may include Walmart, Target, Aldi, Costco, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, and Amazon Fresh.
However, that doesn’t mean seniors can’t save at these stores. Loyalty programs, store apps, digital coupons, credit card rewards, clearance markdowns, membership perks, and cash-back apps can sometimes provide savings greater than a traditional 5% or 10% senior discount.
How to Find Senior Grocery Discounts Near You
Senior discount programs can be surprisingly local. One store may offer 10% off every Wednesday, while another location of the same chain offers nothing at all.
Before heading to the store, consider calling and asking these questions:
- Do you offer a senior discount?
- What is the minimum age to qualify?
- Which day is the discount available?
- Is a loyalty card required?
- Are there any excluded products?
- Can the senior discount be combined with coupons or sale prices?
You may also want to bring a valid photo ID in case proof of age is required.
Other Ways Seniors Can Save on Groceries
Even if your favorite grocery store doesn’t offer a senior discount, there are plenty of other ways to reduce your food bill.
Join loyalty programs. Most major grocery chains offer free rewards programs with member-only prices and personalized coupons.
Use digital coupons. Download your grocery store’s app and clip digital coupons before shopping.
Shop weekly sales. Build meals around what’s on sale rather than creating a menu first and paying full price for every ingredient.
Look for markdowns. Meat, bakery products, dairy items, and produce are often marked down as they approach their sell-by dates.
Use cash-back apps. Grocery rebate apps may offer cash back on specific products or receipts.
Ask about prescription savings. Some grocery stores have pharmacy rewards programs that can provide additional store discounts.
Consider SNAP and other assistance programs. Eligible seniors may qualify for food assistance, even if they assume their income is too high. It’s worth checking current eligibility requirements.
The Bottom Line
Senior grocery discounts can be a useful way to save, but they’re often a patchwork quilt of different ages, days, exclusions, and participating locations. A discount available at one store may not be offered at another location just a few miles away.
Before planning a shopping trip around a senior discount, call the store or check its current policy. Discounts can change without notice, and some offers are only available at participating locations.
Even saving 5% or 10% may not seem enormous on a single shopping trip, but over the course of a year, those savings can add up to a meaningful amount. Pair senior discounts with weekly sales, loyalty rewards, coupons, and smart shopping strategies, and your grocery budget can stretch considerably further.
