Marketing Coupon Promotions for Your Retail Business
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by: annecarter
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Word Count: 550
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 Time: 1:22 AM
According to a 2009 Coupon Trend report, consumers increased their coupon redemption by 20% during the first half of 2009. According to Promotion Marketing Association (PMA) Coupon Council Co-Chair Matthew Tilley, “Given the new frugality of American households brought on by the current economic hardship, the interest in finding new and additional ways to save is expected to continue. Coupons are a perfect fit as a convenient way to save a good deal of money without a lot of effort. That's something everyone like to do, in good times and bad.”
Reasons to Use Coupons
As coupons continue to be an inexpensive form of marketing, nearly half of all retailers reported offering consumers some form of bonus coupon program. This means your competitors are probably utilizing coupons in their marketing plan and maybe you should too. Other reasons to use coupons include:
* To Increase Number of New Customers
* To Increase Sales of a Specific Product
* To Increase Branding & Awareness
* To Reward Current Customers
* To Entice Return of Former Customers
* To Create An Opportunity to Up-sell a More Profitable Product
* Highly Measurable Form of Marketing
How to Use Coupons in Promotions
Coupons should motivate the consumer to not only purchase the product but to take notice of the brand. A well-designed coupon offer focusing on one particular product or service can generate a short-term boost in traffic to most retailers. While only a small portion of coupons may actually be redeemed, establishing brand awareness is one of the long-lasting effects of a coupon promotion.
Before starting a coupon promotion, be sure the offer is right for your market. Not every type of product, or retailer, can benefit from adding coupons to their marketing mix. In some instances, coupons may actually lower the value of a brand.
Popular Coupon Distribution Methods
There are a variety of coupon delivery channels are available to reach a retail store's target audience. Some of the more popular coupon distribution methods are:
* Electronic Delivery
* Free-Standing Insert
* Instant Redeemable
* Direct Mail
* Shelf Pad
* On Pack
Elements of Effective Coupons
Saving money isn't enough incentive. Like any promotional advertisement, coupons should be designed to entice the consumer to actually redeem the discount. If the coupon is being distributed via bulk delivery, it must stand out among many other coupons. Here are some specific elements a retailer should keep in mind when creating a coupon.
* Clear, Concise Text Detailing Offer and Terms
* Face Value
* Product Image
* Proper Bar Code, If Relevant
* Any Necessary Legal Copy
* Expiration Date
* Company Name & Address
* Offer or Tracking Code
Evaluating a Coupon Campaign
A coupon campaign requires testing and measuring. The use of tracking codes printed directly on the coupon, or coded in electronic delivery, allow a retailer to see which customers redeemed the coupons and where those coupons were found. Evaluating the method the coupon is delivered along with the coupon response, product sales and profits can help determine which promotion or coupon works best with your audience.
About the Author
The author recommends Sqwishland Retail for wholesale toys suppliers like squishy animal pencil toppers
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