Photo by Samantha Bengtson
Foods Co shoppers with Visa credit cards will not be able to use them at the grocery store chain.
SOLEDAD — Foods Co Supermarkets recently announced that its 21 stores and five fuel centers in Central and Northern California, including stores in Soledad and Salinas, will no longer accept VISA credit cards as a form of payment, effective Aug. 14.
Foods Co is discontinuing the acceptance of VISA credit cards to save on the high costs associated with the credit card company’s interchange rates and network fees.
“VISA’s rates and fees are among the highest of any credit card brand,” according to a news release issued by Foods Co last week. “The savings will be passed along to Foods Co customers in the form of low everyday prices on the items shoppers purchase most.”
Customers will still be able to use VISA debit cards to pay for their purchases.
“Our customers consistently tell us that one of the most important factors in choosing Foods Co as their supermarket of choice is our low prices,” said Bryan Kaltenbach, president of Foods Co. “At Foods Co, we are committed to saving our customers money. Today’s decision will help Foods Co continue to deliver great value to our customers with low prices, fresh products and friendly service.”
The move by Foods Co to eliminate the acceptance of VISA credit cards will go into effect Aug. 14 at its 21 stores in Central and Northern California.
In addition, five Foods Co fuel centers will discontinue the acceptance of VISA credit cards also beginning Tuesday, Aug. 14.
“We realize this will be a change for some customers,” Kaltenbach said. “But we believe this change will benefit all our customers by allowing our Foods Co stores to continue to offer the things our customers value most, including our low prices, fresh produce and services more than payment type.”
Customers visiting Foods Co stores and fuel centers will continue to be able to use other forms of payment to complete their purchases, including all debit cards; cash; checks; SNAP; and MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards.
