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Retailers Shift Cash Policies as Penny Production Ends

Coin supplies are tightening after the Treasury stopped minting pennies, prompting stores to adjust cash handling.

Overview

  • Kroger confirmed store signs asking cash customers to provide exact change as it evaluates the impact of the penny phase-out, while continuing to accept pennies.
  • Kwik Trip said locations running out of pennies will round cash totals down to the nearest five cents, a temporary approach pending a legislative solution.
  • Aldi store notices state that when pennies are unavailable, change and refund amounts may be rounded to the nearest five cents, with other payment methods unaffected.
  • The Treasury halted new penny production after placing a final order for blanks in May, citing unit costs above face value and estimating $56 million in immediate savings.
  • More than 100 billion pennies remain legal tender, as industry groups press Congress for a uniform rounding rule and warn of SNAP compliance risks under inconsistent store practices.