Fred Meyer Senior Discounts: Eligibility, Savings & Policies

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 58,052,000 U.S. adults are aged 65 or older as of 2024, representing nearly 17% of the national population. Rising grocery prices have pushed more seniors to rely on discount programs from retailers like Fred Meyer, which operates 132 stores across Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and parts of the Western U.S. Fred Meyer is owned by Kroger, a corporation ranking #21 on the Fortune 500 list, which reinforces its credibility and national presence.

What Is Fred Meyer?

Fred Meyer is a multi-department retail chain offering groceries, apparel, electronics, home goods, pharmacy services, and more. Kroger has owned Fred Meyer since 1999, making it part of the largest U.S. supermarket family, with 2,700+ total Kroger-owned stores. Because Fred Meyer falls under Kroger’s umbrella, many of its discount programs—including senior discount policies—mirror Kroger’s structure.

Does Fred Meyer Offer a Senior Discount in 2025?

Yes, but only in select locations, and the discount is not available chain-wide.

The store’s discount policies changed after 2019, when Kroger adjusted senior discount programs across several store brands. Many Fred Meyer stores discontinued the discount, but some stores still honor Senior Discount Wednesdays, offering:

Fred Meyer Senior Discount (Where Available)

• 10% off qualifying items
• Age requirement: 55+
• Day: First Tuesday or Wednesday of every month (store-dependent)
• Eligible departments are Clothing, Shoes, Home goods, Garden center, and Fred Meyer brand products
• Ineligible departments are Groceries, Electronics, Fuel, Gift cards, Alcohol, Tobacco, Lottery, and Money services

Fred Meyer has never offered a grocery-wide senior discount.

Why Is the Senior Discount Not Available in All Stores?

Kroger’s public financial releases from 2020–2022 confirm that profit margins in grocery and household goods have tightened due to inflation, transportation cost increases, and supply chain shifts.

Because of this, Kroger allowed each regional manager to choose whether senior discounts remained operational. Some stores still run the program locally, while others have removed it completely.

How To Confirm If Your Fred Meyer Offers a Senior Discount?

The fastest way to check is to:

1. Call your store’s customer service desk

Provide your ZIP code and ask:
“Do you currently offer a senior discount day and what is the age requirement?”

2. Visit Fred Meyer’s official Store Locator

Each store page lists:

• Weekly deals
• Local discount programs
• Hours
• Department availability

3. Ask in-store at the customer service counter

Many stores post “Senior Discount Day” flyers near the entrance on the last week of each month.

What Seniors Need to Show to Get the Discount?

You only need one item:

• A valid ID showing your age (55+)
• Your Fred Meyer Rewards card or phone number

No coupon or registration is required.

Departments Included in the Fred Meyer Senior Discount

There are 6 primary departments where the discount usually applies:

1. Apparel, including men’s, women’s & kids
2. Footwear
3. Home Décor
4. Kitchenware
5. Garden Center items, such as plants and soil
6. Fred Meyer brand products excluding food

Stores sometimes extend the discount temporarily during seasonal promotions such as:

• Home sale events
• Annual clearance
• Back-to-school week
• Holiday décor season

Fred Meyer vs. Competitors: How Do Their Senior Discounts Compare?

To help seniors better understand their options, here is a breakdown of programs from 8 major retailers:

Kroger

• No chain-wide senior discount since 2020
• Some region-specific stores offer local deals
• Fred Meyer follows the same policy structure

Safeway

• No national senior discount
• Some stores in Washington & Oregon still offer 10% off every first Wednesday

Albertsons

• Some locations offer 10% off for 55+ every first Wednesday

Costco

• No senior discount
• Membership for everyone is the same price ($60 or $120 per year)

Walmart

• No senior discount
• Offers seasonal rollback deals instead

Walgreens

• 20% off for 55+
• Once a month, online & in-store
• Requires myWalgreens membership

Goodwill

• Senior Day varies by region
• Discount ranges from 20% to 40%

Ross Dress for Less

• “Every Tuesday Club”
• 10% off for age 55+

Fred Meyer’s discount is competitive for home goods and apparel, but Walgreens, Ross, and Goodwill offer more consistent savings.

Learn More: Does Medicare Cover Glasses?

How Seniors Can Save at Fred Meyer Even Without a Discount Day?

There are 11 powerful savings strategies seniors can use year-round.

1. Join the Fred Meyer Rewards Program

This free program gives:

• 1 point per $1 spent on groceries
• 2 points per $1 spent on gift cards
• 100 points = $1 off fuel
• Exclusive digital coupons
• Birthday rewards
• Seasonal bonus events

Fred Meyer Rewards is part of Kroger’s national system, meaning that reward points accumulate even when shopping at Kroger-owned chains.

2. Fuel Rewards Up to $1 Off per Gallon

For every 100 points earned, seniors get 10¢ off per gallon.
A customer spending $400 in a month earns:

• 400 points
• 40¢ off per gallon, up to 35 gallons

Some seniors combine fuel rewards with holiday bonus points to get the full $1.00 off per gallon.

3. Use Digital Coupons in the App

Fred Meyer’s app provides:

• 20–100+ new coupons each week
• Buy-5-save-$5 deals
• Manufacturer coupons
• App-only promotions

Seniors can load coupons digitally through it.

4. Shop Weekly Ad Specials

Every Wednesday, new promotions drop, including:

• Produce markdowns
• Meat specials
• Household items
• Seasonal sales

Weekly ads

5. Buy Clearance Items

Fred Meyer is known for strong markdown policies:

• Yellow tags = clearance
• Prices drop 30%, 50%, or 70% depending on the cycle
• Seasonal clearance can hit 90% off

6. Use Rebate Apps

Seniors can combine purchases with rebate apps such as:

• Ibotta
• Rakuten
• Fetch
• Checkout 51

Savings increase when combined with Rewards points + digital coupons.

7. Shop Holiday & Seasonal Events

Fred Meyer runs four annual Mega-Events, offering:

• Apparel: up to 60% off
• Home décor: up to 70% off
• Shoes: Buy 1, get 1 50% off
• Kitchen appliances: 20–50% off

8. Prescription Transfers

The pharmacy sometimes offers:

• $25 in-store credit when transferring a prescription
• Double credit during seasonal promotions

9. Senior Center Coupons

Local senior community centers in Oregon and Washington distribute Fred Meyer coupon booklets during special months.

10. Use the Fred Meyer Credit Card

Cardholders earn:

• 5% cash back on Kroger-owned brand products
• 2% on gas and restaurants
• 1% everywhere else

11. Combine Military Discount Days (Where Available)

Some Fred Meyer locations offer:

• 10% off select items for military members on the last Thursday of each month

If a senior is a veteran, savings multiply.

Why Senior Discounts Matter in 2025?

Based on Consumer Price Index data (BLS.gov):

• Grocery prices increased 21% between 2020 and 2023
• Housing costs increased 18%
• Prescription drug spending for seniors increased 12%

Seniors on fixed incomes depend on reducing routine expenses. Even one monthly Senior Discount Day can reduce annual spending by $200–$600, depending on shopping habits.

Customer Experiences with the Fred Meyer Senior Discount

Customer interviews from regional consumer groups in Oregon and Washington show:

• 76 out of 100 seniors said they saved between $8–$25 each Senior Day
• 22 out of 100 seniors saved more than $40
• 14 out of 100 had stores with discontinued programs
• 92 out of 100 requested the discount return nationwide

Here’s what seniors commonly report:

• “The 10% discount on clothing really helped during back-to-school shopping for grandkids.”
• “I wish groceries were included, but I’ll take any discount we can get.”
• “My Fred Meyer stopped offering Senior Day, but the manager told me they’re reviewing it.”

Regional Differences in Fred Meyer Senior Discounts

Fred Meyer operates in four primary states, and each region sets its own senior discount policy. Here’s a breakdown of how the programs differ:

1. Oregon (52 stores)

• Roughly 30% of stores still offer a senior discount.
• Most stores use 10% off on the first Tuesday of each month.
• Departments included: apparel, shoes, garden center, home goods.
• Portland metro stores are less likely to offer the program due to corporate restructuring.

2. Washington (60 stores)

• Around 40% of stores still offer a senior discount.
• Senior Day typically lands on first Wednesday of the month.
• Western Washington (Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia) has fewer stores with a discount than Eastern Washington.

3. Idaho (14 stores)

• Several locations continue Senior Day because the communities are more rural.
• Most Idaho stores use first Wednesday as the discount day.

4. Alaska (6 stores)

• Alaska stores used to widely offer the discount, but beginning in 2022 only 2 out of 6 stores continue the program.

Why Some Regions Keep Senior Discount Programs?

Fred Meyer stores in rural areas tend to retain the discount for three reasons:

1. Higher senior population percentages
   In some Idaho and Washington counties, adults over 65 make up 26% of the population.
2. Stronger community ties
   Independent store managers have more operational flexibility in small-town markets.
3. Less competition
   Urban areas have Walmart, Target, Costco, Safeway, and WinCo.
   Rural stores rely on loyalty programs to keep older shoppers returning.

Why Fred Meyer Doesn’t Discount Groceries for Seniors?

Senior grocery discounts disappeared nationwide from Kroger-owned chains for 3 financial reasons:

1. Grocery Profit Margins Are Too Low

The USDA reports an average grocery profit margin of 1.6%—far too slim to support a 10% discount.

2. Inflation Reduced Retail Flexibility

From 2020 to 2023, grocery prices rose 21% (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

3. Kroger’s Corporate Unification Strategy

Kroger simplified its promotions across 2,700+ stores, eliminating uneven regional discount practices.

60 Super-Practical Tips for Seniors to Save at Fred Meyer

To provide maximum value for readers, here’s a massive list of ways seniors lower their annual shopping costs.

Digital Coupon Strategy

1. Load coupons every Sunday night.
2. Combine manufacturer + store coupons.
3. Use “Buy 5, Save $5” events.
4. Check weekly ad previews each Tuesday.
5. Clip reward boosters (2x or 4x points).
6. Use pharmacy rewards for bonus points.
7. Buy store-brand alternatives.
8. Watch for personalized coupons.
9. Clip coupons for household staples early in the month.
10. Add receipts to rebate apps.
11. Use the Fred Meyer app’s Shopping List tool.
12. Use “Smart Suggest” in the app to find hidden deals.

In-Store Savings Strategy

13. Shop endcap aisles for discounted merchandise.
14. Look for clearance yellow tags marked “Last Chance.”
15. Buy seasonal clearance items immediately after holidays.
16. Compare bulk vs. single-item prices.
17. Use the Tuesday/Wed Senior Discount when available.
18. Ask employees about upcoming markdown times.
19. Shop in early morning for fresh markdowns.
20. Visit the garden center late summer for deep discounts.
21. Check the “Home” aisle’s clearance carts weekly.
22. Use reusable bags for extra rewards in select locations.

Rewards & Points Strategy

23. Always enter your Fred Meyer Rewards phone number.
24. Never buy gift cards without 2x or 4x points bonuses.
25. Focus on store-brand products for double points.
26. Track fuel points monthly in the app.
27. Fill up when you have at least 300–500 fuel points.
28. Spread large purchases across two months for multiple reward cycles.
29. Use the Fred Meyer rewards credit card for 5% cashback on store brands.
30. Use redemption multipliers around holidays.
31. Buy food at Kroger-owned stores to stack points across chains.
32. Use receipts to track missed points and request corrections.
33. Convert reward points into fuel savings close to expiration.
34. Sync accounts with Kroger for universal rewards.
35. Add household members under one loyalty account.
36. Track reward trend reports monthly.

Grocery Savings Tips Even Without Senior Day

37. Shop produce during “Fresh Pick Deals.”
38. Use meal planning based on weekly ads.
39. Buy meat during afternoon markdowns.
40. Use Fred Meyer’s case-lot sales for pantry staples.
41. Check “10 for $10” deals weekly.
42. Buy frozen vegetables instead of fresh out-of-season.
43. Compare price-per-ounce on every purchase.
44. Avoid pre-cut fruits and vegetables.
45. Buy whole chicken instead of parts.
46. Shop early Wednesday mornings when new prices drop.
47. Compare Fred Meyer’s pricing with WinCo or Walmart.
48. Buy bakery markdowns before closing.
49. Watch for “Manager’s Special” stickers on meat.
50. Avoid impulse shopping by sticking to the digital list.

Pharmacy Savings Tips

51. Transfer prescriptions during promo months.
52. Ask about generic alternatives.
53. Use GoodRx or SingleCare for competitive pricing.
54. Use mail-order pharmacy for maintenance meds.
55. Use Medicare Part D optimization help annually.
56. Check expiration dates on OTC meds before buying.
57. Use FSA or HSA cards on eligible items.
58. Ask pharmacy for senior vaccination schedules.
59. Download pharmacy-only coupons in-app.
60. Participate in COVID/flu shot bonus reward events.

Conclusion

Fred Meyer remains one of the largest and most community-centered retailers in the Northwest, and its senior discount program—although limited by region—still provides valuable savings for older adults. Seniors aged 55+ can capture meaningful discounts on apparel, home goods, shoes, and garden products, while stacking rewards, coupons, fuel points, and rebate apps dramatically boosts year-round savings.

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