Retailers see shortage in pennies; require exact change

Kroger has started asking shoppers paying in cash to pay with exact change.

That’s because of a shortage of pennies affecting retailers nationwide. The Treasury Department ordered the end of penny production this year and the U.S. Mint cranked out its last batch of pennies in August. A growing number of convenience stores and major chains are reporting issues. The American Banking Association says about 250 billion pennies are still in circulation, but notes some “localized supply issues.”

Story courtesy of TTWN Media Networks Inc.