The biggest shopping news of 2012 included big changes at J.C. Penney and Food Lion, the continued explosion of daily deals, and changes to store rewards and coupon policies.

 JCP

J.C. Penney has remained a hot topic on the Shoptimist blog since it made changes to its coupon policy (they’re no longer accepted), named Ellen DeGeneres its spokeswoman and altered its sale schedule.

Since the initial changes last January, the retailer has done away with the monthly deals and “best prices.” Now, shoppers have two options: everyday prices and clearance prices (the final markdown of the product). The retailer did hold a sale on Black Friday, but otherwise the cheapest prices to be found in stores will be the regular clearance markdowns. There are no other scheduled sales to date.

However, shoppers still miss their coupons and aren’t as pleased with the current selection. The weekly sales are also missed by many.

Still, there are a few things that could get shoppers’ attention in the future. There’s still a chance that Sephora cosmetics could be added to Roanoke J.C. Penney stores by 2015. Additionally, the specialty “shops” in stores will increase to 40 (there are currently 11 in the Valley View location) this year. Even more will be added by 2015.

Will these changes appeal to the angry shoppers who have abandoned the store since early 2012?

Food Lion

Last March, Food Lion made some in-store changes. Aisles were widened, prices were lowered and the produce section was expanded. Local shoppers left mostly positive comments on the blog about the changes. After visiting a Food Lion, I appreciated the ample room for navigating a cart and have noticed the prices are more competitive than in the past. The produce section seems to have a better selection as well.

Additionally, kiosks that dispense Food Lion coupons were installed in stores. These coupons cannot be stacked with manufacturer coupons, which are still not doubled by the grocer, but the coupons offering dollars off your total purchase are attractive.

Doubled coupons and more self-checkout lanes remain on the wish list of many shoppers, which is something we’ll keep an eye on in 2013.

Walgreens

Walgreens introduced the Balance Rewards program in September. It allows shoppers to earn points for purchases that can later be traded in for store discounts. Rewards start at $5 for 5,000 points and go as high as $50 for 40,000 points.

To earn additional points, shoppers can enroll in Walk with Walgreens, which will give them 10 Balance Rewards points for every mile walked and tracked through the website.

This new program did not end Register Rewards, a program similar to the loyalty program at CVS. However, the introduction of Balance Rewards did cause some confusion because shoppers can now receive both points and Register Rewards for purchases.

Can the retailer come up with a better way to combine the two programs in 2013?

Dollar Tree

It seems too good to be true, but Dollar Tree, the store where everything is $1, started accepting coupons in August.

With coupon values regularly reaching 50 cents to $1, this meant lots of freebies and bargains. The retailer regularly has name-brand products that often have corresponding coupons such as Ziploc, Glad and Campbell’s.

But just a few months later, in early December, the store made some policy changes. Now, shoppers can use only two Internet coupons per household, per day and no retailer-specific coupons will be accepted.

I think the first change is the biggest. The previous policy limited it to two Internet coupons per transaction, so you could check out twice if necessary. I’m a little shocked that retailer-specific coupons were accepted in the first place.

Groopdealz

One of my favorite new online retail sites is Groopdealz, which specializes in flash sales and daily deals of boutique and Etsy vendors.

Etsy continues to grow in popularity, so a marriage between the two sites means fantastic deals on unique items. Of course, there are multiple sites like this to choose from, but this is one I can attest is legitimate.

I have found many pieces of jewelry and art prints for $10 or less on the website, and shipping often is free or minimal. I suggest “liking” the site on Facebook. The retailer sends out updates every time a sale is starting or new merchandise has been added.

What retail/shopping changes are you hoping to see in 2013?

Food Lion has a great promotion running now through Jan. 29. Here’s a press release from the company, I’ve highlighted the most important details in bold:

Food Lion Offers Customers Up to $10 in Free Groceries Per Visit Starting This Week – Jan. 29

Store Brand Super Sale Rewards Loyal Shoppers Who Purchase Food Lion Brands

 SALISBURY, N.C. — Starting today [Jan. 2] through Jan. 29, Food Lion shoppers can earn up to $10 in free groceries every time they buy store brand products.

“Food Lion wants to put money back in customers’ pockets by rewarding our loyal customers,” said Todd Elledge, Food Lion’s marketing manager of ‘Our Brands.’ “We know that our customers are using more store brand products, and this is one way we can thank them. We also want to provide additional incentive for customers who may not have tried our store brand products.”

Each time customers shop at Food Lion during the Store Brand Super Sale and purchase at least four store brand products using their Food Lion MVP card, they earn a money-saving coupon.

Customers get $1 in coupons for the first four store brand products they purchase and 25 cents back for each additional store brand product they buy – up to $10 – during the promotion.

Store-brand products included in the super sale include Food Lion brand, my essentials, Home 360, Home 360 Baby, Home 360 Pet, Healthy Accents, Nature’s Place and Taste of Inspirations.

The promotion allows customers to use their MVP loyalty card to take advantage of lower prices available by purchasing their favorite store brand products. The coupons are redeemable on customers’ next grocery bill.  Customers can view full details of the promotion online at www.FoodLion.com<http://DelhaizeAmerica.pr-optout.com/Url.aspx?525535x6722x-129002>. The promotion is available in all markets.

About Food Lion
Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C., is a subsidiary of Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG) and operates more than 1,100 supermarkets.  The company employs approximately 58,000 associates delivering quality products, low prices and service to customers in 11 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com<http://DelhaizeAmerica.pr-optout.com/Url.aspx?525535x6722x-129002>. Find Food Lion business updates on Twitter @FoodLionNews or at www.foodlion.com/corporate/pressroom<http://DelhaizeAmerica.pr-optout.com/Url.aspx?525535x6721x-123713>.

As a shopping enthusiast sometimes you strike gold and sometimes bargain hunting feels like a waste of time.

Luckily, this weekend I struck gold at CVS, Kohl’s and Food Lion.

At CVS I lowered my checkout price from $50 to $17 with coupons and ExtraBucks before being rewarded with another $11 in ExtraBucks. Factor the new ExtraBucks in and my total bill was only $6.
That’s especially awesome when you consider some of my purchases: a new razor, razor refills, tissues, Glade air fresheners and mascara. Those can be pricey items.

I also found some gems hidden on the clearance racks at Kohl’s. I picked up two dresses and one top, which all came out to less than $10 each with my extra 15% off coupon (which they scanned from my phone, a perk I wish other stores would honor more often). I also grabbed up some Starbucks K-cups that were on sale and a few accessories for myself from another clearance rack. Kohl’s coupons are great since there are usually no exclusions, I got a discount on all of my sale and clearance purchases.
My total came out to just over $50, which also meant I got $10 in Kohl’s Cash to spend in the coming weeks. I’m hoping to stock up on some of the fantastic Christmas decor that was already on sale – some of it up to 50% off! 
Even though I spent over $50 in the store on this trip, I left with a big bag full of new stuff. What really helps put the savings in perspective is when you consider this dress that I found on clearance was originally $40, just $10 less than my total purchase for the day.

What was originally a quick stop at Food Lion to pick up ground chicken for dinner turned into big savings. I love Amy’s brand soups, but unfortunately they can be a little more than I want to pay on a regular basis. I was very excited when I found tons of cans on clearance for half-off ($1.99) in the store over the weekend and stocked up. These cans don’t expire until September of 2014.
I also found a great deal on thin-sliced chicken breasts in the meat department. I love cooking with these, but they can also be priced higher than I prefer. Food Lion often discounts its meat on Sundays, so I timed it perfectly to find a family-size pack of the chicken breasts for only $5.40. This was cheaper than the regular size packs in the cooler, and I can split the pack up and use it for multiple meals.

Have you had any shopping victories lately? Tell me about them!
 Tons of retailers already have Christmas specials and most Halloween/autumn goods are on clearance, so it’s time to stock up.

Click here to print an awesome coupon: $5 off a $25 purchase at Food Lion. This coupon is good through June 5 (Tuesday) and can be combined with other coupons.

I used the coupon last night and really stocked up. I grabbed meat that was on clearance, paper plates and napkins on clearance, and Emeril and Stubbs spices that were on closeout for about $1 each.

I also saw tons of diapers on clearance.

Be sure your printer is ready because this coupon can only be printed once.

Check out it and see what you can stock up on!