P&G severs ties with Kroger’s online coupon program

Cincinnati Procter & Gamble is severing its ties with Kroger's online coupon program after being involved with it for two years.

P&G e-mailed customers this week to say they won't be able to download "eSaver" paperless coupons to their Kroger loyalty cards after Dec. 31. The company also said the coupons should be redeemed by Dec. 31.

P&G and Kroger first tried out digital coupons two years ago. Kroger also has teamed with AOL's Shortcuts, Cellfire and P&G rival Unilever on digital coupons and said it's talking with other potential partners.

"As a leader in making it easy for customers to use online coupons, we continue to expand our offers on kroger.com," Kroger spokeswoman Meghan Glynn said Wednesday. "While we regret P&G's decision, kroger.com will continue to have great coupon offers from a variety of partners for our customers."

P&G spokeswoman Judi Kletz said the company wouldn't discuss reasons for the cancellation and termed the Kroger team-up "a market test."

"We continue to be excited about the eSaver program," she said.

Shoppers can still use traditional paper coupons for P&G products at Kroger's 2,470 stores in 31 states.