Source: PlanetRetail. Based on sales for calendar 2009 or fiscal year closest to calendar 2009. All sales include nonfood operations and are net sales in U.S. dollars based on full-year average exchange rates. Store counts include franchised or licensed locations and may include nonfood outlets; counts are based on PlanetRetail research, company reports and estimates.

Marketers obviously like couponing. In Supermarket News' 2005 Survey of Manufacturer Promotional Practices, more than two-thirds of the participants said they feel couponing is an effective promotional tool. Fast forward to 2010 and yes, things have changed but they are still a vital consumer and trade marketing tool. Read on.