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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Will Jewel-Osco's checkout changes leave shoppers holding the bag? 

Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM



Jewel-Osco baggers are being trained to stop double-bagging, refrain from bagging an item with a handle, and never ask, “Paper or plastic?”

The rules are aimed at saving money — to the tune of $4 million to $6 million yearly — with each 2-cent plastic and 5-cent paper bag left unused at the checkout counter.

Every cent counts for Jewel-Osco’s parent company, Supervalu of Eden Prairie, Minn., whose Jewel, Acme and Albertsons stores collectively use 1.5 billion plastic and paper bags a year. Supervalu has suffered 11 straight quarters of falling sales as shoppers defected to discount grocers during the recession.

Sandra Guy

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