Just the other day I read that a customer recently came into a North Shore Farms supermarket in Mineola, NY, with a coupon to save 20 cents on Crisco oil from 1983. Believe it or not, that’s a 36-year-old coupon! The manager of the store even posted a photo on Twitter.
And so as I was going through a circular and cutting out coupons in anticipation of this weekend’s grocery shopping, I began to think about the history of coupons.
Asa Candler, co-owner of Coca-Cola, created the first coupon in 1887. According to couponsherpa.com, to name the new marketing concept, he turned to the French language; deriving the word coupon from the French word “couper,” meaning “to cut.”
According to couponsherpa.com, Candler’s invention “transformed Coca-Cola from an insignificant tonic into a market-dominating drink. His hand-written tickets offered consumers a free glass of Coca-Cola, then priced at five cents. Between 1894 and 1913, an estimated one-in-nine Americans had received a free Coca-Cola, for a total of 8,500,000 free drinks. By 1895, Coca-Cola was being served in every state.”
Then, in 1909, C.W. Post began offering coupons with a one-cent discount on Grape Nuts cereal.
Coupon usage really surged during the Great Depression, as struggling consumers used coupons to trim their grocery bills.
By 1940, chain supermarkets began offering coupons as a way of taking customers away from neighborhood stores.
According to couponsherpa.com, “Sunday newspapers began printing inserts with coupons promoting everything from fast food to bank checks. The innovation of direct mail co-ops provided local businesses with an inexpensive way of distributing coupons. Grocery stores began printing coupons on the back of receipts, based on a consumer’s purchases. Electronic shelf coupons also appeared to encourage point-of sale purchases.”
Then, in the 1990s, the first Internet-delivered, printable coupons were created.
Think of this long and interesting history the next time you use a coupon!
Since we’re discussing coupons, I just want to remind all panel members to please let us know if you use a special deal like a coupon, discount, or store sale. Also, while many coupons have barcodes on them, please do not scan the barcode on the coupon. Although the scanner or NCPMobile App may accept the barcode, the information is not readable to us.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Best Regards,
Taylor
Question:
I don’t subscribe to any newspapers. I am on a strict budget and get foodstamps which fully covers groceries.
But! I have to buy deodorant and skin care and shampoo ect.
I mainly use Amazon because I cannot go to the store.
Recommendations?
Hi Heidi, good question. Some items on Amazon offer digital coupons that you can clip, so watch for those. Or, if you have a store that offers delivery, you can check to see if they have store or manufacturer coupons available when you place an online order.
I enjoyed the story of coupons. Very informative. Thank you.
The walmart in Bradenton, FL said they cant take printable coupons for groceries anymore cause they dont get reimbursed. That’s the 1st for walmart. It’s not even on their walmart.com that they dont take them.
I have a couple of coupons from the 80s that my mom gave me that dont expire.
I have many very old coupons also. Some may go back to the mid-80s. If it’s something I may buy, I’m holding on to the coupon. I have to admit I don’t know if some items are even made anymore. At one point, stores stopped accepting coupons without a barcode and I had to toss quite a few old ones.
I use to have Coupon Queen sticker on my car … I miss using them to get so much free stuff … our local grocery store use to double and now they don’t .. I miss the goodies .. \^~^/ … 🙁
this is about coupon
I don’t use them because my sons take me and they say it takes to
long .I don’t drive so i have to depend on my boys to
take me every where
Just wanted to tell you I think your blogs are informative, interesting and fun. I look forward to receiving. Thanks
I found the article very interesting because I started using coupons when I was first married & expecting my first child in 1970. I’ve been a big user ever since and my friends always call me the coupon lady.
Thanks for the interesting read.
Hello Taylor! I just wanted to stop by and say Thank You for all of this great information about the history of Coupons, and to remind us to use them. I really learned a lot, and found the information to be very interesting! I am doing my best, as far as recording my info. regarding Store Coupons, Manufacturer Coupons, Store Sales, etc, and I feel that I am getting better at it!
I always look forward to your Blog, and often learn something new each time. Thanks Taylor, and Happy Spring to you! 🙂