Grocery prices are ticking up but heres how Seniors can save
13 SUPERMARKETS THAT GIVE SENIORS A DISCOUNT
Grocery prices are climbing, and the Department of Agriculture’s Food Price Outlook predicts they could rise another 3.1 percent in 2026. But there’s some relief for older shoppers: Many grocery chains offer senior discounts, taking a percentage off the total bill on select days.
On these days, often called senior discount days, stores extend deals to older shoppers. The discounts tend to range from 5 to 10 percent off your grocery bill or select items.
Keep in mind that some big grocery chains, including Safeway and Giant, don’t have a corporate-wide senior day on the books, but individual stores may extend a discount, so it’s best to check with your local store. Veterans can also save at the grocery store, with some supermarkets offering similar discounts to individuals who have served in the military.
Grocery prices are climbing, and the Department of Agriculture’s Food Price Outlook predicts they could rise another 3.1 percent in 2026. But there’s some relief for older shoppers: Many grocery chains offer senior discounts, taking a percentage off the total bill on select days.
On these days, often called senior discount days, stores extend deals to older shoppers. The discounts tend to range from 5 to 10 percent off your grocery bill or select items.
Keep in mind that some big grocery chains, including Safeway and Giant, don’t have a corporate-wide senior day on the books, but individual stores may extend a discount, so it’s best to check with your local store. Veterans can also save at the grocery store, with some supermarkets offering similar discounts to individuals who have served in the military.
For those wondering which grocery stores offer senior discounts, this list is designed to give you a quick, verified starting point. Keep in mind, not all locations may participate, so confirm with your local store before shopping.
1. Albertsons
Locations: Over 2,200 stores throughout the country, including Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania and Wyoming.
Age for discount: Varies
Deal: Senior discount is available only at select stores. Customers are encouraged to contact their store to confirm whether a senior discount is available.
2. Bashas’
Locations: Over 100 stores in Arizona. Find a store.
Age for discount: 55+
Deal: The first Wednesday of every month, customers 55 and older get 10 percent off their purchase. Customers are required to use their Thank You rewards card to receive the discount. The discount cannot be used for prescriptions, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, postage stamps, gift cards, Western Union, taxes, fuel or lottery tickets.
3. Brookshire’s Food & Pharmacy
Locations: Over 200 stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. Find a store.
Age for discount: 60+
Deal: Every Tuesday and Thursday, customers 60 and older can save 5 percent off their grocery purchase when they use their Brookshire’s Thank You card. Eligible adults need to ask for the discount at checkout. The discount does not apply to milk and other dairy products in Louisiana, or to alcohol, tobacco and fuel in any state.
4. Food Bazaar Supermarket
Locations: 38 stores in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. Find a store.
Age for discount: Varies
Deal: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., seniors get 10 percent off their grocery bill. Sales found in the weekly circular are not eligible for the senior discount.
5. Fred Meyer
Locations: Over 130 stores in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Find a store.
Age for discount: 55+
Deal: The first Tuesday of every month, adults 55 and older get 10 percent off select items in-store or online for pickup or same-day delivery, including private-brand groceries, apparel, shoes, accessories, all home goods and most electronics.
6. Fry’s Food Store
Locations: Over 125 stores in Arizona. Find a store.
Age for discount: 55+
Deal: The first Wednesday of the month, people 55 and older get 10 percent off most items in the store.
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7. Gristedes
Locations: Nearly 30 stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. Find a store.
Age for discount: 65+
Deal: Every Tuesday, adults 65 and older get 10 percent off their purchases.
8. Harris Teeter
Locations: Over 250 stores in Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Find a store.
Age for discount: 60+
The deal: Every Thursday, Club 60 customers receive a 5 percent discount on their bill. To receive the discount, a shopper must have a valid VIC rewards card.
9. Kroger
Locations: Operates 2,700 stores under a variety of banner names in 35 states. Find a store.
Age for discount: 55+
Deal: Periodically, independent Kroger stores run senior discount days, giving customers a percentage off their bill. Kroger’s Columbus division, which operates 118 stores in Ohio, recently gave customers 55 and older 5 percent off their in-store purchases one day during the week. Since Kroger says it’s a division-by-division decision, it’s best to check with your local store before heading out.
Its family of stores includes: Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Kroger, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pick’n Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler, and Smith’s Food and Drug.
10. New Seasons Market
Locations: Over 20 stores in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. Find a store.
Age for discount: 65+
Deal: On Wednesdays, people 65 and older receive 10 percent off most items in the store.
11. Super 1 Foods
Locations: 48 stores in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Find a store.
Age for discount: 60+
Deal: Every Tuesday and Thursday, shoppers 60 and older receive 5 percent off most purchases. ID is required to receive the discount.
12. Tops Markets
Locations: Over 150 stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Find a store.
Age for discount: 60+
Deal: The first Tuesday of every month is Young at Heart Day, when shoppers 60 and older get 6 percent off their entire grocery bill and out-of-pocket prescription drug purchases. Customers have to sign up for a Tops BonusPlus rewards card to get the deal.
13. Weis Markets
Locations: Nearly 200 stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Find a store.
Age for discount: 60+
Deal: Every Tuesday, people 60 and older get 10 percent off participating Weis-branded products.
Grocers that do not offer senior discounts
Aldi: An Aldi spokesperson said the company “typically does not offer discounts.” Instead, it points to its low-cost business model — including the quarter cart system, shipping-box displays and smaller store footprint — as a way to operate efficiently and pass savings on to customers.
Food Lion: A Food Lion spokesperson says the chain does not offer a senior discount but keeps prices affordable for everyone through weekly promotions and its MVP loyalty program.
Stop & Shop: A spokesperson for Stop & Shop told AARP the chain does not offer a senior discount.
Trader Joe’s: Trader Joe’s said it does not offer senior discounts or other promotions because it focuses on keeping everyday prices low for all customers.
Whole Foods Market/Amazon Fresh: While there isn’t a senior-specific discount, the company offers a reduced-cost Prime membership through Prime Access for customers who receive certain government benefits. The plan costs $6.99 per month and is available to people enrolled in programs such as SNAP EBT, Medicaid, WIC and Supplemental Security Income, among others. Eligibility must be verified and reverified every 12 months. Benefits include free same-day delivery on orders over $25 in most areas, and exclusive savings at Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh.
AARP reached out to Wegmans, ShopRite and Publix for confirmation of any senior discount policies but did not receive a response.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
AARP editors Daniel Bortz and Aaron Kassraie contributed to this report.
Donna Fuscaldo is a contributing writer and editor focusing on personal finance and health. She has spent over two decades writing and covering news for several national publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investopedia and HerMoney.
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Key takeaways
- Many grocery chains offer 5 to 10 percent discounts to older customers on designated days.
- Supermarkets with senior discounts include Albertsons, Harris Teeter, and Weis Markets — check your local store’s participation.
- Discounts often require a store loyalty card and ID at checkout.
LIST OF SENIOR DISCOUNTS ON RESTAURANTS
Senior Lifestyle Network features DISCOUNTS & DEALS throughout the week. SLN hopes that for those on a fixed income or tight budget, these discounts will stretch your dollar.