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More grocery stores to stop accepting checks

September 21, 2009 by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

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Whole Foods has stopped accepting consumer checks at three of its stores this month, a test to see how consumers will react.

According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, the supermarket chain is considering a company-wide ban on checks. This follows a recent similar move by Fresh & Easy, the California wing of U.K. retailer Tesco.

It's a cost-cutting move that could save retailers some serious money over the long term, but the customer reaction is yet to be determined:

"Grocery stores are a dime a dozen. If the Albertsons where I shop stopped accepting checks, I would just go to Vons," he said.

The computer industry sales executive said he uses checks to buy groceries as method of keeping "a budget under control."

He said he's bothered by using debit and credit cards -- which he said are not actual representations of money -- on perishables such as groceries. The physical act of writing a check makes shoppers think more carefully about their purchases, he said.

About James Bickers

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James Bickers is the former senior editor of Retail Customer Experience, and also manages webinars for Networld Media Group. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist and innovative content strategist, with publication credits in national, international and regional publications.

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