As Stimulus Rebates Go Out, Stores Want All of It

As the government sends out roughly $100 billion in economic stimulus checks to about 130 million American homes, retailers are trying to persuade consumers to spend their windfall at a time of high anxiety about the economy.

Their new marketing pitch? Go on a frugal-minded spending spree.

Sears has started a "stretch your stimulus check" campaign. Supervalu, the grocery chain, is promoting a "watch your refund grow" program, and Kroger is calling its stimulus gift cards "a powerful new financial tool." All three companies offer shoppers a 10 percent bonus if they buy a gift card with their checks.