Spartan Stores Offers Gas Discount

Michigan-based Spartan Stores Inc. ran a two-day promotion last week, offering 50 cents off a gallon of gasoline, up to 20 gallons purchased, for every $100 spent in their stores.

The discount is about how much gas prices have gone up locally in the past month, The Grand Rapids Press reported. The promo was offered at the grocer’s 97 stores across Michigan, including D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen’s Markets and VGs Grocery.

This month, Spartan is doubling its fuel rewards program to 10 cents a gallon for every $50 spent. That can add up to $2 off 20 gallons, the maximum for each voucher. There is no limit on how many vouchers shoppers can collect, or use on a purchase, Alan Hartline, Spartan’s executive VP of merchandising and marketing, told the Press.

Gas deals are becoming more important to customers, Hartline said. “Everybody is talking about fuel,” he told the Press. “There is hyper-awareness, which is why our proposition is more relevant.”

Hartline credits gas promotions for driving up store traffic and customer loyalty. But what he and other Spartan leaders will evaluate at the end of May is whether deeper discounts at the pump ultimately pay off for the retailer, the Press reported.