Clipping's path: a more efficient system to process coupons is needed, but widespread progress is slow in coming

Supermarkets and manufacturers agree on the need for a standard electronic coupon processing system, but mistrust and cost issues have delayed such innovations. Catalina Marketing of Florida, a leading US coupon clearinghouse, discontinued its electronic coupon processing due to lack of interest from manufacturers. Stores hope manufacturers will pay for installation of electronic scanners, and some say without manufacturer funds the systems are more money than they are worth.
Electronic and other highly efficient coupon-clearing programs, which promise quick, accurate processing, have made only limited progress in the supermarket industry. Most agree that current manual and multistep methods of [...]