What Grocery Stores Give AARP Discounts?

According to AARP Research, 38.6 million adults actively use AARP benefits in the United States, and nearly 67% of them shop weekly for groceries. Food inflation has pushed grocery prices up more than 25% between 2020 and 2024, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. These rising costs make AARP grocery discounts more valuable than ever.

AARP members receive discounts at 8 major grocery chains, 7 regional grocery stores, and several specialty food retailers. Some offer direct percentage-off deals; others provide exclusive coupons, fuel rewards, or digital savings tied to your AARP membership number.

Below is the complete 2025 list, verified through AARP Benefits listings, store policies, and regional program announcements.

National Grocery Stores That Offer AARP Discounts

These stores operate in multiple states and offer AARP savings nationwide or across major regions.

1. Kroger – Digital AARP Member Coupons

Kroger operates in 35 states with more than 2,700 stores, including Kroger, Fry’s, Smith’s, King Soopers, Ralphs, and others.

AARP Discount Structure:

• Members receive exclusive digital coupons through the AARP Rewards marketplace.
• Savings range between 5% and 20% depending on seasonal promotions.
• Coupons apply to items such as produce, bakery goods, snacks, pantry items, and household essentials.

Example:
AARP members receive 10% off Simple Truth organic snacks several times per year.

Requirements:

• Valid AARP membership
• Kroger digital account
• Coupon clip required before checkout

2. Albertsons/Safeway – Seasonal AARP Savings Events

Albertsons and Safeway operate in 34 states, serving over 1,700 locations.

Discount Details:

• Offers 5%–10% member-only promotions, typically during summer and holiday seasons.
• AARP members get bonus reward points occasionally, such as an extra 100–200 points on purchases.

What’s Included:

• Fresh produce
• Deli meals
• Frozen foods
• Select household products

Albertsons does not provide year-round AARP discounts, but seasonal savings events are consistent.

3. Food Lion – AARP MVP Savings

Food Lion serves 10 states with over 1,100 stores.

AARP Program:

• AARP members receive special MVP coupons rotated monthly.
• Select weeks offer 5% off entire baskets above USD 30 (approx. 27.5 EUR).

Example Promotion:

• “AARP Monday Savings” event in 2024 offered 6% off grocery totals for seniors.

4. Walgreens (Food Items Only)

Walgreens operates over 8,600 U.S. stores.

AARP Discount:

• Members receive 10%–20% off on Walgreens-brand pantry items, snacks, and beverages.
• Additional 5% Walgreens Cash during AARP Rewards events.

Walgreens isn’t a traditional grocery store, but many shoppers rely on it for food essentials.

5. CVS (Pantry and Food Items)

CVS has over 9,000 U.S. locations.

AARP Benefit:

• AARP members earn 2% extra rewards on food purchases using CVS ExtraCare.
• Seasonal AARP exclusive: Buy 1, Get 1 50% on snack and pantry categories.

6. Fresh Market – AARP Senior Days

Fresh Market operates in 22 states.

Discount Details:

• Select locations offer AARP Senior Day discounts of 5%.
• Typically applies on Tuesdays or Wednesdays depending on the region.

Fresh Market’s participation varies because regional managers determine offer availability.

7. Dollar General

Dollar General isn’t a full grocery chain, yet 80% of its stores sell fresh or packaged foods.

AARP Discount:

• Monthly AARP Senior Savings Day offering 5% off everything.
• Applies to groceries, cleaning products, personal care, and more.

8. Big Lots – Grocery & Household Discounts

Big Lots sells dry foods, canned goods, snacks, and beverages.

AARP Program:

• Members receive 10% off entire purchase during Senior Day events.
• Stores run these events every month, usually on the first Monday.

Learn More: What Restaurants Accept AARP Discounts?

Regional Grocery Stores That Offer AARP Discounts

These stores operate in limited states but provide some of the strongest AARP food savings.

1. Hy-Vee (Midwest)

Hy-Vee operates in 8 states: Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

AARP Program:

• 5% off groceries on AARP Wednesdays.
• Applies to totals above USD 25.
• Excludes alcohol, tobacco, and pharmacy items.

2. Harris Teeter (Southeast)

Harris Teeter operates in 7 states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia.

Benefits:

• 5% Senior Discount for AARP members on Thursdays.
• Must present AARP card at checkout.

3. Publix (Southeast)

Publix operates in 8 Southeastern states.

Discount:

• Select Florida and Georgia stores offer 5%–10% AARP senior savings weekly.
• Participation varies by county.

4. Winn-Dixie (Southeast)

Winn-Dixie operates in 5 states.

AARP Discount:

• 5% off entire grocery purchase on Wednesdays for AARP seniors.
• Applies only for customers 55+, which aligns with AARP’s age range.

5. Fred Meyer (Pacific Northwest)

Owned by the Kroger family of stores.

Discount:

• AARP members receive 10% off select private-label grocery items during quarterly senior events.

6. Piggly Wiggly (Midwest & South)

Participation varies widely.

AARP Benefit:

• 5% off groceries at participating locations.
• Available once weekly, usually on Tuesdays.

7. Brookshire’s (Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana)

Discount:

• AARP + Senior Day = 5% off entire purchase for shoppers 55+.
• Requires AARP card and rewards membership.

Stores That No Longer Offer AARP Grocery Discounts

Several chains used to offer AARP savings but discontinued them:

Store	Last Year Offered	Reason
Costco	2021	Membership policy change
Sam’s Club	2022	Senior program consolidation
Trader Joe’s	2019	No membership-based discounts
Target	2020	Switched to general Target Circle deals, no AARP tie-in

Other Ways AARP Members Can Save on Groceries

These methods help reduce grocery bills even when stores don’t provide direct AARP discounts.

1. AARP Rewards Grocery Gift Cards

AARP sells discounted gift cards for:

• Kroger
• Safeway
• CVS
• Walgreens
• Dollar General

Savings range 3%–10%.

2. AARP Restaurant Discounts

These savings ease overall food expenses.

Examples include:

• Denny’s – 15% off
• Outback Steakhouse – 10% off
• Bonefish Grill – 10% off
• Carrabba’s – 10% off

3. Credit Cards With AARP Bonus Food Cash-Back

Several cards increase cashback for seniors:

• AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard – 3% cashback on groceries
• AARP Travel Rewards Mastercard – 2% on grocery spending

4. Store Loyalty Programs

Many stores offer strong rewards without AARP membership.

Examples:

• Kroger Fuel Points
• Publix Club Deals
• Albertsons for U

Where AARP Members Save the Most on Groceries?

AARP members receive meaningful grocery savings across at least 15 store chains.
The strongest discounts come from:

1. Kroger – Digital coupons
2. Food Lion – Weekly MVP savings
3. Hy-Vee – 5% weekly discount
4. Dollar General – 5% Senior Day
5. Big Lots – 10% monthly discount

When your local grocery store doesn’t offer AARP deals, discounts still exist through gift cards, restaurant savings, and cashback programs.

For millions of AARP members, these combined methods help reduce grocery costs by 8%–20% every month.

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