What a difference a global pandemic makes, when it comes to how satisfied shoppers are with their favorite grocery stores.

Each year, the Retail Feedback Group releases a survey gauging how people feel about their grocery shopping experiences – what they like, what they think could be better, and what methods they use to save money. It’s a good way to measure how grocery stores are doing year over year, and how our shopping habits are changing.

And then the coronavirus came along – and changed everything.  Here’s the entire Coupons in the News article.

Just when it seemed that grocery shopping might be returning to normal, we may find ourselves back to where we were a few months ago. Some stores that recently lifted purchase limits on high-demand items are reinstating them, in anticipation of more panic buying and more shortages.

H-E-B and some Kroger stores are among the grocers reimposing stricter limits on the number of certain items that shoppers can buy. H-E-B in Texas has released a full list of mostly nonfood items that shoppers will no longer be able to buy to their hearts’ content. Some are unsurprising, like toilet paper, paper towels and antibacterial products, which will once again be limited to two purchases apiece. But there are some new items on the purchase-limit list, including Pepcid and other acid relief products, which now come with a limit of one. This comes as some scientists are looking into whether famotidine, Pepcid’s active ingredient, can be used to treat COVID-19. Also making the purchase-limit list is brisket – it is Texas, after all.  Okay, that’s weird.  For more, read the article in Coupons in the News.

You may be accustomed to getting Catalina coupons when you check out, for various grocery, household and personal care items that you can use on your next trip to the store. But what if your next Catalina printout is a coupon for a free movie, music download or video game? Here’s the complete Coupons in the News article.

We’re supposed to get three inserts in this Sunday’s paper (6/28), a SmartSource, a RetailMeNot and the July P&G. Some papers may divide them differently, not carry the same coupons or have different values.

SmartSource

Air Wick Essential Mist Refill $1/1 (7/26)
Air Wick Essential Mist Starter Kit $3/1 (7/26)
Ajax Ultra Dish Liquids 28oz+ $1/2 (7/11)
Alka Seltzer Effervescent Products 24ct+ $1/1 (7/26)
Alka Seltzer Gum Product 8ct+, Heartburn Relief Chews or Relief Gummies 32ct+ $2/1 (7/26)
Blue Diamond Almonds 12oz+ $1.50/1 (8/27)
Clairol Age Defy Hair Color Or Specialty Blonding Collection $5/2 (7/11)
Clairol Temporary Root Touch-Up Concealing Powder OR Root Touch-Up Color Blending Gel $2/1 (7/11)
Clairol Nice ‘n Easy, Root Touch-Up Permanent Creme, or Natural Instincts Hair Color (exc. Natural Instincts Crema Keratina Hair Color) $2/1 (7/11)
Clairol Nice ‘n Easy, Root Touch-Up Permanent Creme, or Natural Instincts Hair Color (exc. Natural Instincts Crema Keratina Hair Color) $5/2 (7/11)
Clear Eyes 0.5 fl oz+ .50/1 (8/8)
Clorox Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths or Clorox Scentiva Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths .50/1 (8/28)
Clorox Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths or Clorox Scentiva Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths $1/2 (8/28)
Colgate Mouthwash or Rinse 200ml+ $1/1 (7/11)
Colgate Adult or Kids Manual Toothbrush $1/2 (7/11)
Colgate Toothpaste 3oz+ $1/2 (7/11)
Coppertone Products 4oz+ $5/2 (7/25)
Coppertone Product 4oz+ $2/1 (7/25)
Depend Real Fit, Silhouette or Night Defense Product $3/1 (7/25)
Depend products 8ct+ $5/2 (8/27)
Dove Hair Care $2/2 (7/12)
Dove Amplified Textures Hair Care Product $1/1 (7/12)
Duracell Optimum Pack $2/1 (7/25)
Ensure Original or Ensure Plus 16ct packs $10/2 (8/9)
Ensure multipack $5/2 (7/25)
Finish Jet Dry Rinse Aid $1/1 (7/26)
Giovanni Rana Family Size Refrigerated Pasta $1.50/1 (9/28)
Giovanni Rana Refrigerated Sauce $1/1 (9/28)
Hormel Valley Fresh 10oz products ( $1/2 (8/24)
Land O Lakes Eggs .50/1 (9/28)
Land O Lakes Eggs Cage Free OR Organic Varieties .50/1 (9/28)
Babybel Mini Rolls product $1/1 (8/31)
Nabisco Cookie or Cracker products 3.5oz+, any variety) $1/3 (8/2)
Nabisco Cookie or Cracker products 3.5oz+, any variety) .75/2 (8/2)
Ocean Spray 60-64oz Juice or Blends $1/2 (7/31)
Poise Active Collection 12-26ct OR Ultra Thin Pads $3/1 (7/25)
Poise Product Pads, OR Liners (exc. 14-26ct Liners or 10ct Pads) $5/2 (7/25)
Red Gold Huy Fong and/or Sacramento Tomato Products 10oz+ .50/2 (8/9)
Sargento Sliced Natural Cheese $1/2 (8/22)
Sargento Sliced Natural Cheese .75/2 (8/22)
Sensible Portions Screamin’ Hot Garden Veggie Straws 4.25oz or 6oz bag $1/1 (10/31)
Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws product 4oz+ $1/2 (10/31)
Suave Kids Hair Care $2/2 (7/12)
Suave Men’s Hair Care $1.50/2 (7/12)
Suave Professionals Shampoo or Conditioner Product ETS $1/1 (7/12)
Suave Professionals Shampoo or Conditioner Products ETS $2/2 (7/12)
Tresemme Shampoo or Conditioner $2/2 (7/12)
Tropicana Lemonades or Premium drinks 52oz $1/2 (9/6)
U by Kotex Tampons $3/2 (7/25)
U by Kotex Pads or Liners $3/2 (7/25)
Zims Max Brand Pain Relief Product $4/1 (9/30)

RetailMeNot

Always Discreet Incontinence Product ETS $2/1 (7/25)
Caress Body Wash 18oz+ or Beauty Bar 6pk+ $1/1 (7/12)
CeraVe Sun Product (exc. Baby and stick Sunscreen) $5/1 (7/18)
Degree Men Motionsense Antiperspirant, Deodorant, Wipes, Dry Spray Antiperspirant or Clinical Protection Deodorant Product $1.25/1 (7/26)
Degree Men Motionsense Antiperspirant, Deodorant, Wipes, Dry Spray Antiperspirant or Clinical Protection Deodorant Product $1/1 (7/26)
Degree Men Original Protection Antiperspirant Deodorant $1/2 (7/26)
Degree Men Original Protection Antiperspirant Deodorant .50/1 (7/26)
Degree Women Deodorant, Wipes, Dry Spray Antiperspirant or Clinical Protection Deodorant Product $1.50/1 (7/26)
Degree Women Motionsense or UltraClear Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick $1/1 (7/26)
Degree Women Motionsense or UltraClear Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick ETS .75/1 (7/26)
Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo, Conditioner, or Treatment $2/1 (7/11)
Garnier Nutrisse Color Reviver or Express Retouch Haircolor $4/2 (7/11)
Gillette Disposables 2ct+ $4/1 (7/25)
IAMS Proactive Health Dry CAT Food, any size $3/1 (8/23)
Ivory Moisturizing Body Wash 17.9oz and/or Ivory Deodorant ETS $2/2 (7/25)
Lindt Classic Recipe Bar 4.1oz+ .50/1 (8/1)
L’oreal Paris Superior Preference, Excellence or Feria Haircolor $5/2 (7/11)
Maille Product $1/1 (7/12)
Nexium 24HR Product 14ct+ $2/1 (7/12)
Nexium 24HR Product 42ct $5/1 (7/12)
Preparation H Product $1/1 (7/12)
Preparation H Rapid Relief Cream 1oz or .75oz Product $4/1 (7/12)
Secret Buy one Secret OR Old Spice Dry Spay Antiperspirant – Get one FREE up to $5.99 B1G1 (7/11)
Senokot Laxative Tabl Product $2/1 (7/26)
Senokot Laxative Gummies Dietary Supplemant $5/1 (7/26)
Suave Deodorant $1/2 (7/12)
Suave Deodorant .50/1 (7/12)
Suave Lotion $1/1 (7/12)
Tena any product $5/2 (7/12)
Venus OR Daisy Disposables 2ct+ $4/1 (7/25)

P&G

Align Probiotic Supplement $2/1 (7/18)
Always Radiant, Infinity, Pure Ultra or Maxi Pads 10ct+ $4/2 (7/25)
Cascade ActionPacs Dishwasher Detergent Tub 30ct $1/1 (7/18)
Cascade Rinse Aid $1/1 (7/18)
Cascade Dishwasher Detergent .50/1 (7/18)
Crest 3D White Whitestrips $5/1 (7/18)
Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel $1/1 (7/18)
Crest or Oral B Mouthwash 473ml $1/1 (7/18)
Dawn Liquid Spray or Foam 10.1oz .50/1 (7/18)
Febreze Product – Buy 1, Get 1 FREE B1G1 (7/25)
Fixodent Adhesive Twin or Triple Pack 1.4oz $2.50/1 (7/18)
Gain Dishwashing Liquid 21.6oz .50/1 (7/18)
Gillette Disposable or Venus or Daisy Disposable 2ct $3/1 (7/25)
Gillette Disposable or Venus or Daisy Disposable 6ct $5/1 (7/25)
Gillette Antiperspirant Deodorant 2.6oz $2/2 (7/18)
Head & Shoulders Shampoo $3/2 (7/18)
Head & Shoulders Men’s Styling $2/1 (7/18)
Herbal Essences Bio:renew Shampoo Conditioner or Styling $4/2 (7/18)
Luvs Diapers $1.50/1 (7/18)
Metamucil Fiber Supplement $2/1 (7/18)
Mr Clean Reusable Gloves .50/1 (8/1)
Mr Clean Any Product $1/2 (7/18)
Olay Eyes $2/1 (7/25)
Olay Facial Cleanser $1/1 (7/25)
Olay Facial Moisturizer $3/1 (7/25)
Olay Serum $3/1 (7/25)
Olay Bar 4ct, Body Wash or Hand and Body Lotion $1.50/1 (7/18)
Old Spice Dry Spray or Body Spray $2/1 (7/18)
Old Spice Anti Perspirant Deodorant $1/2 (7/25)
Pampers Easy Ups Training Underwear or Splashers $2/1 (7/18)
Pampers Wipes 56ct .50/2 (7/18)
Pampers Diapers box or Easy Ups Training Underwear $3/1 (7/18)
Pantene Nutrient Blends, Non Wash Day Products, Pro V $5/2 (7/18)
Pantene Products $5/3 (7/18)
Pantene Products $1/1 (7/18)
Pepto Bismol Product .50/1 (7/18)
Prilosec OTC Product $2/1 (7/18)
Safeguard Liquid Hand Soap or 8ct Bar $2/2 (7/25)
Secret Essential Oils or Gillette Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant $2/1 (7/18)
Secret Outlast or Fresh Antiperspirant Deodorant $2/2 (7/18)
Secret Dry Spray Antiperspirant or Aluminun Free Deodorant 2.4oz $2/1 (7/18)
Stressballs Product $2/1 (7/18)
Swiffer Product $2/1 (7/18)
Tampax Pearl, Pocket Pearl, Radiant, or Pure Tampons $4/2 (7/25)
Venus Razor $4/1 (7/25)
Waterless Products $4/2 (7/18)
Zzzquil or Pure Zzzs .50/1 (7/18)

When you’re trying to save money at the grocery store, every penny counts. But what if there aren’t any pennies?

Grocery and retail industry groups are warning that a nationwide coin shortage could severely disrupt millions of customers’ shopping trips. So they’re urging U.S. policymakers to distribute some desperately-needed coins before it’s too late.  Here’s the Coupons in the New article.

Yesterday I might have claimed as a mental health day, but anyone who’s met me knows that’s bat shit crazy talk and besides we’ve been taking the day off since mid-March.  Found this incredible YouTube channel called TastingHistory with Max Miller, where this really hot guy not only makes ancient foods, he gives us the history involved.  Warning:  These are seriously-addicting, which is why two loads of laundry were put on the line and the rest of the day went to hell.  I’ve linked to the Buttered Beer video, but every single one of these is fascinating.

In the early days and weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, many retailers stopped issuing printed weekly ads and cut back on promotions, while some manufacturers stopped issuing coupons. After all, there’s no need for coupons and promotions on a high-demand item like toilet paper, for example, when packages are already flying off the shelves at full price.

By now, though, many of the weekly ads are back, and coupons are becoming more plentiful. But what if some marketers wager that shoppers have gotten used to fewer coupons and promotions, so now could be a perfect time to cut back, or do away with them for good?

One retailer is considering just that.

“Never let a good crisis go to waste,” Ulta Beauty CEO Mary Dillon told an investors conference last week.  For more on this disturbing possibility, here’s the Coupons in the News article.

Do you wear a mask when you go grocery shopping? In some cities, counties and states, it’s mandatory. Elsewhere, it’s not. But what happens when a store mandates masks in a city, county or state that doesn’t?

It’s a recipe for conflict.

There are no mandatory mask requirements in many states where Costco does business, for example. But there is a mandatory mask requirement in Costco stores across the country.  Here’s the Coupons in the News article, but let’s be real here:  Shopping in and of itself is suffocating, so we wear masks ’cause it’s in our own best health interests to do so.