The bank robber Willie Sutton was once asked why he robbed banks, replying, "That's where the money is."

Same principle here. Although I'm sure there are well-heeled folks in places like Manhattan who do not have cars and eat out at restaurants every night of the week, before the pandemic, the vast majority of Americans had to fill their cars with gas and did weekly grocery shopping. Even if these purchases are relatively low, they are frequent. As mianotes, credit card companies are trying to provide an incentive to consumers to keep the cards in their wallets so that they'll use the cards for other, less-rewarding purchases as well.

As spending habits changed during the pandemic, reducing restaurant visits and increasing grocery spending, the CC companies adjusted, emphasizing grocery spending especially. Keep in mind, though, that several credit cards rewarded grocery and gas spending (Amex Everyday as an example) even before the pandemic.

The focus here at FT is the exact opposite. I guarantee you in the world beyond points obsession, the term "sock drawer" is rarely used--other than to indicate where your socks, and nothing else, are kept.