Safeway chains introduce mobile coupons

Pleasanton, Calif. Safeway announced that two of its banners -- Tom Thumb and Randall’s -- have begun offering mobile coupon services for shoppers, according to a report in Media Post News.

Both banners are currently cooperating with packaged-goods manufacturers General Mills, Unilever and Kimberly-Clark to offer shoppers 21 coupons for goods like pre-packaged tossed salad and children's cereal.

Shoppers who have a loyalty card can view and select the digital coupons they want by visiting the store's Web site on their computer or mobile device. The selected coupons are registered on their loyalty account, and automatically deducted when the cashier swipes their loyalty card.

According to the report, the infrastructure for the system was created by Cellfire, a company specializing in mobile coupon distribution; it also handles operations and other technical issues.