As more retailers offer shoppers the ability to order items online and pick them up at their local store, there’s just one problem – someone in the store has to go find all the requested items and gather them up so they’re ready when the shopper arrives. And in a busy short-staffed store, who has time to do all that? Some stores might have to hire additional employees, or run the risk of disappointing shoppers who show up and find out their orders aren’t ready.

So IBM is proposing a new way – getting other shoppers to do the work, by bribing them with coupons. Here’s a link to the article, but honestly, sounds just like a way to let stores get away with hiring fewer employees and making you pay for the privilege.

The Robots Are Coming – And They’ve Got Groceries!

They’re two of the biggest trends you’ve been hearing about lately – grocery delivery, and self-driving cars. So it was only a matter of time before someone combined the two. In this case, it’s two big someones.

Kroger and Walmart have both begun tests of grocery delivery services using self-driving cars – but in very different ways. Kroger’s system uses self-driving cars to bring your groceries to you. Walmart’s system uses self-driving cars to bring you to your groceries.  Read the entire article here:

A California company says it’s seen the future of mobile coupons – or, more precisely, it’s heard the future. It’s using audio technology to beam coupons straight to your phone. If you hear about an offer you can’t resist, all you have to do is give your cell phone a shake and the coupon is yours. For more article, click here.

Heading off in a few minutes on a road trip to the wilds of Atlanta, where these Yankees (PITA and I) will show ’em who actually won the War of Northern Aggression 🙂  Not gonna do it all in one day; we’re stopping in Metropolis, IL for a night or two (an indoor pool holds strange and mystical powers over me) and then continue on.  I’ll be taking lots of pictures (Metropolis has a large Superman statue, museum and their paper is the Daily Metropolis (guess The Daily Planet was taken).  Check Facebook for photos, since that’s were most of the world seems to dump their vacay shots 🙂 I have lots of inserts with me and a planned trip to Kroger and Publix, two stores of which I’ve heard great things, but never been able to shop since they seem to avoid Chicago.  Rented a Ford Fusion Hybrid, so gas should be really cheap!

Saving money on alcohol can be a tricky business. The industry is heavily regulated, and many states restrict how and whether manufacturers and retailers can offer discounts and coupons. So one state with few such restrictions has a message for everyone else – come to New Hampshire to buy your booze, and we’ll give you a coupon to do it!  All states can participate!  Read the article here.

Latest article in Coupons in the News says a new study claims religious shoppers spend less on groceries and make fewer impulse purchases.  Here’s the link.

Higher prices, few or no coupons means you’d better be stocking up when you can. Here’s the article from Coupons in the News.  Read the entire article here.

Better gather your coupons and stock up on some of Procter & Gamble’s most popular products – because they’re going to cost you more soon.

In the coming months, P&G plans to raise prices on Bounty paper towels, Charmin toilet paper and Puffs tissues, while simultaneously raising prices and shrinking the size of its Pampers diapers packages. The Pampers changes, which are currently being phased in, amount to a 4% price increase. Bounty and Charmin’s list prices are set to rise by 5% in October, while Puffs prices will increase by 5% next February.

Scary little article from Coupons in the News about two Japanese firms using fingerprints to replace  digital coupons. Read the entire article here.   I will say the Japanese seem more accepting of this type of technology, while Americans say hell, no!!

Would coupon scammers be as likely to cheat the system if they knew their store would scan their fingerprint while checking out? Would any shoppers be willing to volunteer this piece of personally identifiable information, If it meant they didn’t have to carry around coupons, cash or even a smartphone anymore?

Starting this Thursday, you’ll get a MacCoin with every Big Mac you purchase, redeemable for another Big Mac. My guess is they’re hoping the coins become collector’s items and aren’t redeemed, but then I’m a cynic. Here’s the story in USA Today.

Check your local library – I saw this being handed out during the Summer Read Party.  Was told it was open for all (under 18), which is a great way to ensure all kids get nutritious meals even when they’re not in school.