Abstract: A redeemable merchandising coupon entitling its holder to a specified discount on a particular consumer item, the coupon having printed thereon not only the name of the item and the amount to be taken off the purchase price, but also code indicia. The code indicia has a first component which matches the universal product code (UPC) assigned to an item in question and a second component indicative of the fact that this item is subject to discount. When the holder purchases a group of items in a supermarket and the UPC indicia on these items are scanned at a check-out lane by a UPC system so that the terminal of the system may determine the names and prices of the group of items purchased and provide a receipt listing these items and the total to be paid, the same scanner thereafter serves to scan the two components on the coupon presented at the check-out lane.