Kroger may expand its Visa ban

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – If you shop at Kroger, you may not be able to use your Visa credit card to pay for your groceries in the future.

The biggest supermarket chain in the U.S. is threatening to stop the use of Visa cards over the “swipe” fees it pays to handle customers’ credit and debit card transactions.

The supermarket chain says starting August 14, 21 of its supermarkets and five gas stations in central and northern California will no longer accept Visa credit cards.

But the company is said to be considering a Visa credit card ban at more of its stores in the U.S.

Retailers pay $90 billion in so-called swipe fees annually, according to Bloomberg, and Kroger is concerned that Visa’s rates and fees are among the highest charged.

Foods Co. will still accept all debit cards including Visa debit cards, as well as MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards.