It seems every hungry retailer is sending discount coupons or savings passes to shoppers via direct mail or in e-mail blasts. The photo above represents just the direct mail pieces we received last week. And the offers are good; good enough to get us and our wallets into the stores this past weekend. The Gap Stores sent customers a 30 percent saving pass that was valid in all of the company’s stores. We redeemed ours at Old Navy. When we were finished checking out, we gave our savings pass to the woman in line behind us; that woman passed it on to another shopper without a savings pass of her own.
You need to get in the game. IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE to attract shoppers to your store on Black Friday and beyond, RUN A COUPON EVENT. Make your coupon valid on Friday, November 28 through Sunday, November 30. Pass them out in your store this week and send them customers via e-mail. Have additional coupons available in the store for shoppers who do not have a coupon of their own – no one should be left out! E-mail us if you need directions or coupon templates.
Discount Your Gift Cards. Studies show that 80 percent of gift cards are redeemed for more than the face value; 40 percent are redeemed for twice the face value – a good deal for you! Make them a good deal to customers as well by offering your gift cards at a discounted rate for a limited period of time. 20 percent off of the total of the gift card is a good place to start -- a $100 gift card will cost the customer just $80. Make the discounted gift cards valid after December 26th so shoppers cannot use them to make their own holiday purchases.
Gift With Purchase Offers. We’ve seen a lot of these promotions lately and not just from cosmetic companies. While in Las Vegas last week we purchased a $100 gift card from the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant chain and received a $25 gift card to use at a later point. Last year a number of retailers offered this kind of promotion and you can, too. Try a “Buy a $25 gift card for _________________ and receive a $10 gift card for yourself.” Make the “gift to yourself” cards valid on December 26th.
Bundled Gift Packs. Gather together a selection of items or create kits priced Under $25, Under $50, Under $100, etcetera.
Gifts to Go. Set your speed bump displays with "Gifts to Go"; pre-wrapped, ready-to-go gifts. Price the display tables by price point: $25; $50 – whatever makes sense for your product. Display some of the items unwrapped as well, in case the gift-giver wants to choose their our gift wrap.
You need to get in the game. IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE to attract shoppers to your store on Black Friday and beyond, RUN A COUPON EVENT. Make your coupon valid on Friday, November 28 through Sunday, November 30. Pass them out in your store this week and send them customers via e-mail. Have additional coupons available in the store for shoppers who do not have a coupon of their own – no one should be left out! E-mail us if you need directions or coupon templates.
Discount Your Gift Cards. Studies show that 80 percent of gift cards are redeemed for more than the face value; 40 percent are redeemed for twice the face value – a good deal for you! Make them a good deal to customers as well by offering your gift cards at a discounted rate for a limited period of time. 20 percent off of the total of the gift card is a good place to start -- a $100 gift card will cost the customer just $80. Make the discounted gift cards valid after December 26th so shoppers cannot use them to make their own holiday purchases.
Gift With Purchase Offers. We’ve seen a lot of these promotions lately and not just from cosmetic companies. While in Las Vegas last week we purchased a $100 gift card from the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant chain and received a $25 gift card to use at a later point. Last year a number of retailers offered this kind of promotion and you can, too. Try a “Buy a $25 gift card for _________________ and receive a $10 gift card for yourself.” Make the “gift to yourself” cards valid on December 26th.
Bundled Gift Packs. Gather together a selection of items or create kits priced Under $25, Under $50, Under $100, etcetera.
Gifts to Go. Set your speed bump displays with "Gifts to Go"; pre-wrapped, ready-to-go gifts. Price the display tables by price point: $25; $50 – whatever makes sense for your product. Display some of the items unwrapped as well, in case the gift-giver wants to choose their our gift wrap.
Advertise your events via e-mail, on your website and throughout your store. Hang signs in your windows; make buttons for store associates to wear -- do whatever it takes to get the word out!
