When we think about discounts, the first things that probably come to mind are Black Friday, Christmas, and those big sale events, right? However, offering discounts isn’t just for the super busy shopping seasons. Sure, many businesses jump on that bandwagon, but what if you could stand out a bit more?
Imagine this: What if you offered a special deal on swimsuits in the middle of winter? Sounds a little wild, but that’s what I’m talking about: low-demand products! Yep, I’m diving into off-season discounts.
Now, you might be wondering, “What is an off-season discount,” and how can it work for your business? Well, keep reading; we've got the scoop for you!
What Is an Off-Sesonal Discount?
You’ve probably heard about those seasonal discounts, right? You know, like the ones that pop up during big events like Black Friday, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. The ones everyone seems to be waiting for.
Whether you're a customer or a business owner, these deals are everywhere during peak times.
But today, we’re not talking about those seasonal discounts. Nope, we’re warming up to discuss something else: “What exactly are off-season discounts?”
Off-season discounts are a whole different ballgame. These discounts are offered when demand is low, like when winter jackets or coats are sold in the middle of summer. Not exactly what people are rushing to buy, right? So, why bother with off-season discounts? What’s in it for you, as someone who owns a store and your customers? Stick with me for a sec, and I’ll break it down for you.
Off Seasonal vs Seasonal Discount (Table)
Here’s a quick snapshot comparing off-season discounts with seasonal ones:
Customers are often more motivated to shop during seasonal peaks, and offering discounts can add a sense of urgency or make their experience even better.
Plus, many people actually expect discounts during certain times of the year!
Key Benefits of Off-Season Discount? How Does It Help Businesses?
Alright, so we’ve already covered “what are off-season discounts.” But I know that you’re really here for those juicy details I promised earlier about the key benefits of these discounts. Keep scrolling to see how they can actually work wonders for your Shopify store.
Improving Cash Flow
Some folks are always hunting for a deal, right? Even if it's a ski jacket in the middle of summer! By offering off-season discounts, you can boost your cash flow. Because giving people a reason to buy now, even when it's not the "right" season, makes them more likely to grab your offer. It’s all about timing and giving them a little nudge to make that purchase.
Attracting Price-Sensitive Customers
You know, that group of people who always grab things on sale, even if they don’t need them! They’ll buy stuff for the next season to save money. For example, those who go around different stores in the summer just to find the cheapest boots for winter. Or there’s always someone who waits until after Christmas to buy a tree for the following year.
We all know someone like that, right? Maybe it’s even you! These savvy shoppers love the thrill of a good deal! It’s not just about the product; it’s about scoring a win. So, how do you reel them in? Simple: give them what they’re looking for. Flash sales, buy-one-get-one discounts, and those tempting “limited-time-only” offers are your best friends here. Moreover, if you really want to keep them coming back, think about loyalty programs that reward their bargain-hunting skills or exclusive early-bird discounts.
Move Inventory
Off-season discounts are also a smart way to move your inventory. They get customers to buy now, which helps you avoid having too much stock left over. That way, you free up space and save on storage costs. It’s a total win!
Maintaining Brand Visibility
As we mentioned earlier, one of the main reasons off-season sales work so well is because they attract those customers who are always on the hunt for a bargain. These are the price-sensitive shoppers who might not have even noticed your brand before.
For example, someone might buy a discounted summer dress during a winter sale, and now they’re familiar with your brand and store. Who knows! They might come back later to check out more of what you’ve got.
What Is the Best Time to Offer An Off-Seasonal Discount?
So, now that you know what off-season discounts are and how they can benefit your business, let’s talk about when is the best time to use them.
As mentioned above, off-season discounts are usually offered on products that aren’t in high demand at the moment. For example:
- Winter coats in spring or summer: As summer starts, people aren’t thinking about coats, so it's a great time to clear out those winter styles with a discount.
- Holiday-themed items after the season: Think about Valentine’s Day or Halloween decorations; once the holiday is over, offer off-season discounts to move the stock.
- Fitness gear after New Year's: Many people hit the gym in January, but their interest starts to fade by February or March. Offering a discount on fitness gear or apparel can help clear out items that didn’t sell as well during the peak of New Year.
- Back-to-school items in winter: Once school’s in session, there's not much need for back-to-school supplies, so it's a good time to offer discounts on things like backpacks, stationery, or school clothes.
How to Use Off-Seasonal Discounts on Shopify?
Till now, you know about the big question: “What’s an off-season discount?” and explored a ton about it. But here’s where it gets super interesting: How do you actually use off-season discounts for your Shopify store? The answer’s just below, so keep on scrolling!
Well, off-season discounts aren’t exactly a specific type of discount, such as free shipping! They’re more about timing. Businesses use them to draw in customers during quieter periods, and there are so many ways to make the most of this.
You can choose from options like percentage discounts, minimum value discounts, tiered discounts, flash sales, BOGO offers, and much more. The possibilities are endless!
Let’s take a look at some examples:
Off-Season Strategy with Percentage-Based Discounts
For example, imagine you have a clothing store on Shopify, and now it is winter. During this season, summer items aren’t as in demand as winter clothing. Here’s how you can make the most of the off-season:
"Up to 40% off all summer dresses during our winter sale!"
Best Time: Early winter, especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is a prime time for sales, and customers are looking for deals on all sorts of products, including off-season items.
Off-Season Strategy with Bundle Discounts
Another cool off-season strategy you can try: Bundle offers! So, picture this:
You buy a winter jacket, and, bam, you get 30% off a matching scarf or gloves. It's like, “Bundle & Save!”
Best time to roll this out? Early summer, when people aren't even thinking about winter yet!
Off-Season Strategy with Tiered Discounts
And last but definitely not least, tiered discounts are a game-changer for your off-season sales. Here's an idea: "Spend $50, get 20% off. Spend $100, get 30% off all summer accessories, like hats, sunglasses, and beach bags!"
The best time to launch this? Early winter, when people are already starting to think ahead to warmer days!
Tips to Consider When Offering Off-Season Discounts
To make the most of off-season sales, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Seasonal Relevance: When you’re offering off-season discounts, make sure they still feel seasonal in some way. Selling winter coats in summer might seem odd, but for someone planning ahead, it’s actually a win. You can remind them that winter’s not far away and buying now is a smart move for future use.
- Manage Your Inventory: It’s super important to keep an eye on your stock. You don’t want to be stuck with too much stuff that’s not selling, but you also don’t want to discount too much and end up running out too soon. Balancing things right means you’re clearing inventory without missing out on demand.
- Use Different Promotions: Mixing up your promo types keeps things interesting. Maybe offer bundles or discounts on specific items! This way, you can appeal to different customers and keep it fresh. No one likes seeing the same deal over and over.
- Create FOMO: People love a good deal, but they also love not missing out. So, create a little urgency with limited-time offers or mention that stock is low. That’ll get them moving fast before the deal disappears.
Discounty: Smarter Off-Season Discounts
By reading this blog so far, you’re probably feeling pretty confident about “what an off-season discount” is and the different strategies you can use for your Shopify store.
But if you want to take it a step further, offering off-season sales with advanced tiered pricing or stacking multiple discounts at once, you might run into some challenges, as Shopify alone won’t let you do all that.
No worries, though! With discount apps like Discounty, you can easily manage all of this and more.
With up to 1,500,000 active discounted products, $3,500,000 all discounted value per month, and up to 6,000 active users, Discoynty is one of the best available options for your Shopify store to add different types of discounts to your off-season strategy with advanced features like:
- Combine Different Campaigns
- Add Multiple Discount Tiers
- Advance Price Configurations
- Easy Include and Exclude Filters
- 24/7 Expert Support!
- Automatic Discount
- Different Types of Plans (Free plan, Discunty plan monthly $39, Ultimate plan monthly %75)
