West NY News

Senator George Borrello has introduced legislation aimed at helping senior citizens and loyalty program members access digital coupons and deals at grocery stores. The bill would require grocery stores to automatically apply digital coupons for eligible purchases at the point of sale for senior citizens and loyalty program members who do not have smartphones or devices necessary to activate the discounts.

“Inflation is hurting the budgets of people across the spectrum, particularly those on fixed incomes," said Sen. Borrello. "Today, most grocery store coupons and weekly specials are advertised online only and require digital activation to redeem. For seniors who don’t use smartphones, this means they are unfairly deprived of discounts that could help ease the burden of higher grocery costs."

The proposed legislation addresses the issue of exclusion faced by many seniors due to the shift towards digital coupons. Sen. Borrello highlighted that a significant portion of the senior population lacks access to smartphones or internet connections, which hinders their ability to benefit from discounts that could assist them in coping with rising food prices.

According to Sen. Borrello, the rising food prices, which have increased by 25 percent over the past four years, have particularly impacted lower and middle-income seniors on fixed incomes. The senator emphasized the importance of helping seniors access discounts on food to alleviate the financial strain caused by inflation.

“The proposal I am advancing is one way that we can help ensure all seniors have access to discounts on food as well as streamlining the shopping experience," Sen. Borrello stated. "Retailers would benefit from higher customer satisfaction, boosting sales and consumer loyalty over the long-term."

The bill aims to support senior citizens and loyalty program members in navigating the changing landscape of grocery discounts, ensuring that they can avail of savings without the need for digital devices.