Kroger launches rewards Mastercard with Imprint. By Aina Ibrahim October 3, 2026 Kroger has launched the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard, a co-branded credit card developed with fintech company Imprint and Mastercard. The new card offers shoppers points at five times the rate of their purchases when shopping through Kroger.com or the Kroger app. The card integrates with Kroger's existing loyalty program, providing tiered rewards for fuel, in-store purchases, dining, and travel, along with a \$100 welcome bonus for new cardholders. The strategy behind the card. "At Kroger, we're always looking for new ways to help customers save," said Megan Shaffer, group vice president of customer growth and strategy. "From weekly grocery trips to filling up at the pump or paying bills, the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard turns purchases into real savings." Imprint's Daragh Murphy emphasized the partnership's goal of creating a card customers use daily. "Together, we set out to turn that loyalty into a card customers reach for every day, one that rewards the weekly Kroger trip and everything in between, with the modern, seamless experience they expect." The card positions Kroger at No. 7 in the Top 2000 Database for North America's largest online retailers by annual ecommerce sales, and No. 1 in the Food & Beverage category. However, it competes with higher-ranked mass merchants like Walmart and Target in online grocery sales. Mastercard's Kiki Del Valle highlighted the card's potential to reduce friction in everyday transactions. "Grocery spending is one of the most consistent and essential parts of life," she said. "Together with Kroger and Imprint, we've created a seamless rewards experience that helps shoppers earn more on the purchases they already make, turning regular grocery trips into meaningful savings." Digital shift and data control. Serhii Nikolaichuk, founder of The Capital Index, views the card as more than traditional credit: "It's a delivery app with a bank attached." He notes that richest point tiers apply to Kroger.com and app purchases, compared to up to 3X for in-store transactions. Combined with free Boost delivery membership in the Kroger app, this signals a broader strategy. "Kroger is paying shoppers to move from the aisle to the screen, where it can see every basket and plan the next one," Nikolaichuk explained. The fintech partnership also serves a larger purpose. With Imprint managing the card and a bank issuing it, Kroger maintains direct customer relationships and controls the data and experience. "The bank becomes plumbing," Nikolaichuk said. "Amazon and Target already proved to grocers that the card can function as the loyalty program; now, Nikolaichuk said, that card lives inside the grocer's own app." Looking ahead, Nikolaichuk sees artificial intelligence as the next frontier. "When an assistant builds the weekly cart, it will pay with whatever card is already on file, and it will follow the points." The grocer controlling the app, card, and data claims the default position. "The real prize is not the next swipe, but the next year of automatic reorders," he added. Compared to competitors, Kroger's rewards appear competitive on the surface. Amazon and Target set shopper expectations for roughly 5% back. However, Nikolaichuk cautions that points are only as valuable as what they can purchase - primarily fuel and groceries within Kroger's ecosystem. "For a loyal Kroger household that already fills up at Kroger gas stations, he said, that can beat a general cash-back card." "Kroger isn't buying loyalty at the checkout," he added. "It's buying the default for the day an AI agent does the shopping." Market challenges and opportunities. Francesco Onorato, director of growth at Brandmovers, considers Kroger's integration of store credit with its loyalty program a smart move. "What's interesting is that Kroger is focusing high-value incentives on orders made through the app and including free delivery as part of the offer," he noted. "This strategy uses payments as a means of guiding shoppers out of the aisles and into the digital channels." Onorato identifies the key question as whether this approach will succeed in today's competitive grocery and retail market. "A reliable, engaging and personalized online shopping experience is going to be the true test of how their bet will pay off," he said.

Kroger launches Mastercard powered by payments platform Imprint: NYSE content update. MWN-AI** Summary. Kroger has officially launched the Kroger Rewards Elite Mastercard, powered by the payments platform Imprint, which is poised to enhance customer engagement and spending through an AI-driven approach. This partnership aims to leverage Imprint's capabilities to create tailored programs for Kroger shoppers, enabling them to earn multipliers on various spending categories such as groceries, fuel, and dining. As a part of this initiative, Imprint CEO Daragh Murphy will discuss the collaboration and the anticipated growth opportunities it presents during an appearance on NYSE Live. The launch is timely, coinciding with the inaugural Fortune AIQ Summit at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Scheduled for October 1, 2026, the summit focuses on exploring how artificial intelligence can be effectively utilized in business. The NYSE's President, Lynn Martin, is expected to be among the key speakers, highlighting the intersection of finance and technology, particularly as AI continues to revolutionize various sectors. Market conditions remain in focus as the fourth quarter begins, with significant developments including a rise in the 10-year Treasury yield to 5.34%, the highest since April 2002. Investors are particularly attentive to the upcoming September jobs report, which is anticipated to impact market sentiment as trading opens. Meanwhile, the opening bell ceremony sees the Ireland Funds celebrating its 50th anniversary and the launch of a $200 million campaign, while Valvoline marks the tenth anniversary of its listing on the NYSE. For more updates on market insights, viewers can access the NYSE's resources via their app and YouTube channels. MWN-AI** Analysis. Kroger's recent launch of the Kroger Rewards Elite Mastercard, powered by the innovative payments platform Imprint, represents a significant strategic move for the grocery giant and could offer valuable insights for investors. This partnership not only reinforces Kroger's commitment to enhancing customer engagement but also positions the company competitively against other retailers. The implementation of AI-driven solutions by Imprint aims to create tailored rewards programs that enhance customer experiences, potentially leading to increased spending in stores. Shoppers can now earn point multipliers on groceries, fuel, and dining, which aligns perfectly with current consumer preferences for rewarding loyalty. As consumers become more financially cautious in an environment marked by rising interest rates and inflation, value-driven rewards will likely play a crucial role in consumer decision-making at the register. Kroger's strategic direction indicates a robust understanding of market dynamics. The investment in building a financial product directly tied to their existing customer base can help deepen customer loyalty, potentially increasing Kroger's market share. Furthermore, with the 10-year Treasury yield hitting its highest level since 2002, consumer spending habits are likely to shift, making loyalty programs more pivotal in attracting and retaining customers. Investors should closely monitor the performance of this new Mastercard initiative, as it can be a bellwether for Kroger's growth trajectory. Should consumer adoption of the card meet expectations, Kroger could see a notable increase in both foot traffic and overall sales, translating to heightened stock performance. In conclusion, Kroger's innovative approach to integrating financial solutions within its business model presents an exciting opportunity for investors. Keeping an eye on engagement metrics and sales performance following the launch could provide useful indicators for Kroger's future growth. **MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release. October 01, 2026 08:55:00 am PR Newswire NYSE issues a pre-market daily advisory direct from the trading floor. NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today's NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins. Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on October 1st * Imprint to power the new Kroger Rewards Elite Mastercard. * Imprint says that they are able to deliver tailored programs that drive measurable increases in engagement and spend through its AI-powered platform. * Kroger (NYSE: KR) shoppers can earn point multipliers for groceries, fuel, and dining. * Imprint CEO Daragh Murphy will join NYSE Live to discuss the partnership and new growth opportunities for his company. * The inaugural Fortune AIQ Summit to take place today at the NYSE. * The theme of this year's event is 'Putting AI to work.' * Event commences after Fortune and ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) revealed the 2026 Fortune AIQ 75 power list. * NYSE President Lynn Martin will be among key speakers at the Summit. * Yields and employment in focus as the fourth quarter of trading kicks off. * The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 5.34%, reaching its highest level since April 2002. * The highly anticipated September jobs report is due Friday ahead of market open. Opening Bell The Ireland Funds celebrates its 50th anniversary and launch of a $200 million campaign Closing Bell Valvoline (NYSE: VVV) celebrates its 10th anniversary of listing For market insights, IPO activity, and today's opening bell, download the NYSE TV App and check out the NYSE YouTube: TV.NYSE.com and YouTube.com/@NYSEofficial SOURCE New York Stock Exchange FAQ**. How will the partnership between Kroger and Imprint, coinciding with the launch of the Mastercard, influence customer purchasing behavior in relation to ServiceNow Inc. (NOW) technology? The partnership between Kroger and Imprint, coupled with the launch of the Mastercard, is likely to enhance customer purchasing behavior by streamlining payments and rewards, thereby increasing the use of ServiceNow Inc. technology for improved customer experience and operational efficiency. What data insights will Imprint provide Kroger about customer spending patterns, especially in terms of grocery, fuel, and dining, and how might this relate to ServiceNow Inc. (NOW)? Imprint will offer Kroger detailed insights into customer spending trends across grocery, fuel, and dining, enabling targeted marketing and personalized promotions that could enhance customer loyalty, while benefiting ServiceNow Inc. by streamlining service workflows and customer engagement processes. In what ways might the AI-powered platform of Imprint enhance Kroger's customer engagement, and will ServiceNow Inc. (NOW) play a role in this enhancement? Imprint's AI-powered platform can enhance Kroger's customer engagement through personalized recommendations and dynamic promotions, while ServiceNow Inc. may facilitate integration and streamline customer service processes to support this enhanced interaction. How does Kroger's new Mastercard initiative align with the trends discussed at the Fortune AIQ Summit, particularly in terms of leveraging ServiceNow Inc. (NOW) for business growth? Kroger's new Mastercard initiative aligns with the trends from the Fortune AIQ Summit by utilizing ServiceNow's automation capabilities to enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and drive business growth through personalized financial services. **MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE: NOW).