Kroger Brings Back Paper Coupons — The Comeback Michigan Shoppers Have Been Craving

After years of pushing shoppers to clip deals on their phones, Kroger is rolling out an old-school comeback: a return to paper coupons. It’s a move many Michigan customers will applaud, especially those left behind by digital-only discounts.

Why Kroger Is Bringing Back Paper Coupons

The shift comes after feedback from shoppers who felt locked out of savings because they didn’t have smartphones, struggled with the app, or simply preferred clipping coupons from a flyer. Executives admit that relying solely on digital promotions created a barrier for loyal customers.

The Cincinnati-based retailer says the change has resonated with shoppers eager to save without relying on electronic devices. Interim CEO Ron Sargent noted the move is especially popular with older customers who “don’t have a $600 iPhone.”

How the New “Scan Sheets” Work

Kroger’s paper comeback comes in the form of “scan sheets” rather than traditional individual coupons. The retailer began rolling the sheets out in mid-2025; each double-sided sheet lists the week’s digital offers and carries a single barcode. When the barcode is scanned at the register or at self-checkout, the discounts on the sheet are applied to the shopper’s loyalty account—no app required.

After ending most mailed and newspaper circulars in 2023, Kroger says the sheets give customers a quick paper option without restarting mass mailings.

The move seems to be paying off. During the company's earnings call last week, Sargent noted that the change has already improved public perception for Kroger.

“Our customers are recognizing these changes, and they’re giving us credit for them,” Sargent said. “We know this because customer price perception improved in nearly every division this quarter, and we saw another quarter of sequential improvement in share.”

Why Michigan Shoppers Benefit

Kroger ranks among the country’s largest grocery chains, with approximately 1,239 stores across 16 states. In Michigan, the retailer operates 122 locations in about 82 cities, making it the state’s second-largest supermarket chain after Grand Rapids-based Meijer. The Wolverine State represents nearly 10 percent of Kroger’s total U.S. presence.