OT: here's a great return on purchasing.
May 19, 2004 09:39 AM US Eastern Timezone
Gasoline Prices Lower for Shoppers Using Fuel Rewards; Free Gas for Groceries Program Could Cut Fill-Up 57 Cents Per Gallon
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2004--Centego Marketing(TM), Inc., the parent company of the leading consumer rewards program, Fuel Rewards(R), today announced consumers can receive free gasoline for groceries as an alternative to paying higher prices at the pump this Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day is the start of the peak summer driving season.
According to the Energy Information Administration's May 17, 2004, weekly survey, the average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.00 a gallon nationwide, which is about 52 cents higher than this time last year.
Stores such as Meijer, Kroger, H-E-B, Tom Thumb, Raley's, Nob Hill Foods, Bel Air Markets, Randalls, Brookshire's, Smith's Food Stores, King Soopers, City Market and Bashas' offer hundreds of products for which free gasoline can be earned. Here's an example:
-- Buy 2 Frito-Lay Tostitos Select Varieties = $1.50 free gasoline
-- Buy 3 Hillshire Farm Deli Select Ultra Thin Lunchmeat = $2.00 free gasoline
-- Buy 2 Kodak Film or One Time Use Camera = $2.00 free gasoline
-- Buy 2 Dole Coleslaw 1 lb. Mix & Match = $1.00 free gasoline
-- Buy 2 Energizer Batteries AA or AAA 8 pk = $1.00 free gasoline
-- Buy 2 Carb Options Products (BBQ sauce, Ketchup, Marinades, etc.) = $1.00 free gasoline
SAMPLE TOTAL VOUCHER AMOUNT = $8.50 free gasoline
Free gasoline vouchers, which are printed in conjunction with the grocery receipt, are valid for approximately 30 days, and can be redeemed collectively or individually at participating gas stations. Based on the national average, $2.00, and using a 15-gallon tank as a benchmark, the above scenario equates to 57 cents per gallon savings.
An April report by the Food Marketing Institute found that more shoppers are using coupons and rebates and stocking up on bargains even if they don't need the items right away. "Rising oil prices and increasing unemployment, nonetheless, are likely to continue to restrain consumer spending," according to the report.
In the first four months of 2004, $8.5 million worth of free gas was issued to nearly 8.4 million grocery shoppers via the popular Fuel Rewards program.
According to the EIA's May 12, 2004 "This Week in Petroleum," maintaining April's higher rate of gasoline imports may be difficult this year due to more stringent regulations. The report went on to say that as long as demand continues to grow at a three- (3) to four- (4) percent pace, it will be difficult for inventories to move further into the normal range, thus keeping pressure on prices.
About Centego Marketing
Dallas-based Centego Marketing(TM), Inc. develops innovative consumer rewards. Its Fuel Rewards(R) program, also known as "Kash 4 Gas," "Free Gas" and "Free Gas Rewards," brings together companies in the supermarket, consumer packaged goods and petroleum industries. Now in its sixth successful year, Fuel Rewards' marketing approach creates offerings for grocery shoppers who appreciate savings at the gas pump. Synergies between the grocery store and the fueling center enable manufacturers to increase sales and brand awareness cost-effectively. The Fuel Rewards program is offered nationwide in approximately 1,600 locations and, in 2003, touched more than 25 million shoppers. For more information about Centego Marketing, visit www.centego.com.
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