A coupon could be a piece of paper or a digital code (a combination of letters, numbers, or both) that consumers can use to get something at a reduced price or for free. Retailers use coupons to encourage consumers to purchase their products. Coupons are commonly given out as a reward for signing up for an email mailing list, ordering for the first time, participating in a campaign, or other activities. Consumers can get coupons through newsletters, social media, apps, phone SMS, or other marketing means.
Retailers use coupons to build their brand and earn repeat customers through offers on specific products or discounted prices. Some companies give away free samples as incentives for taking part in promotions (this gives you the chance to find out if you like a product before buying it). Other types of coupons include “buy one get one free” deals, $10 off on a $50 purchase, or savings on specific brands stocked at retail stores.
A discount code is mostly an alphanumeric code that consumers can use to get products at a reduced price. The codes mainly offer discounts on groceries (usually only good on certain days), discounts on specified items in store (like clothing, jewelry), or a certain percentage off on sales.
Retail discounts could be of several types. You can get a percentage off or flat discount and a discount for spending X amount.
Percentage off/flat discount is the most common type and offers up to a certain percentage/amount off an item’s retail price when it’s purchased (i.e., 25%/$10 off). On the other hand, spending X amount will give you an automatic discount on your purchase as long as you meet the specific criteria set out until that particular promotion sunsets on its given date.
Promo codes are alphanumeric codes that retailers offer at the time of promoting the time of launching a new product or campaign. Instead of being applicable to site-wide or store-wide items, promotional codes are almost always applicable to certain products.
Retailers offer these deals to tap into new consumer territory and build trust and confidence with existing customers. Coupons and discounts increase sales that ultimately cover the company’s profit cuts and keep the bottom line unscathed.
Retailers offer these deals to tap into new consumer territory and build trust and confidence with existing customers. Coupons and discounts increase sales that ultimately cover the company’s profit cuts and keep the bottom line unscathed.
If you want to avail of a discount for a particular offer, just apply the code during the checkout process (when buying online) or show it to the staff at the cash register (when buying from a store). Your discount will be applied automatically upon meeting all conditions. If the coupon/discount code offers $20 off on the purchases of $100 worth of products, you have to spend $100 to get the discount.
If you want detailed instructions, check our guide How to Use Your Coupon.
If you want to avail of a discount for a particular offer, just apply the code during the checkout process (when buying online) or show it to the staff at the cash register (when buying from a store). Your discount will be applied automatically upon meeting all conditions. If the coupon/discount code offers $20 off on the purchases of $100 worth of products, you have to spend $100 to get the discount.
All coupons/ vouchers/ discounts codes come with various conditions. You have to meet them all to get the associated benefits. Some of them come with an expiration date too. For example, a retailer may offer discounts on their meat items just for a week. Or, you may need to spend a specific amount to avail of a particular coupon. Always read the fine print to be aware of the exclusions of these deals.
It depends on the policy of the associated retailer or business. Some companies allow coupon stacking and some don’t. Many retailers do not allow more than one code for a single purchase. Sometimes, you will need to use the coupons in separate orders if you want them all applied. Just read the store’s coupon/ discount code policy to avoid any confusion.
Sometimes, companies may offer restricted coupons or discounts codes to single users or a targeted group of customers. Almost all of these coupons are for one-time use. The code could be given as an apology for failing to deliver on time an appreciation for crossing a certain spending threshold.