It’s all about sparking that feeling! You know, that little nudge that makes people add “just one more thing” to their cart or maybe even gets your long-time customers back in the game. Running different types of discounts in marketing isn’t just about pushing for more sales; sometimes, they’re the perfect way to reconnect with loyal customers, remind them why they loved your brand in the first place, or welcome them back to the rink.
But here’s the kicker: it’s not always about customers either! sometimes discounts are all about business-to-business deals, building partnerships, and creating win-win scenarios across the board.
Different situations call for different approaches, and that’s exactly why we’re here: to break down the types of discounts in marketing and show you how to use each one to your advantage. Keep reading to learn how the right discount can make all the difference!
Magic Behind Different Types of Discounts in Marketing
Discount is simply a price reduction, and there are different types of discounts in marketing. But if you’re a business owner, you might wonder: why choose to lower your prices or give something extra to customers?
Well, that’s where the real magic kicks in! Follow me to the next paragraph, and let's uncover the secrets behind different types of discounts and how they affect profitability!
The Power and Pitfalls of Strategic Discounts in Marketing
None of the big brands we know today were born famous! Think about Coca-Cola, the king of soft drinks worldwide. Way back in the day, no one even knew what it was. But then, in 1887, they did something bold: giving out free drink coupons. Yep, that was one of their first discount moves, and it helped launch them into the spotlight. Now, look where they are! This is similar to modern promotion strategies in marketing, where brands use creative approaches to attract customers.
Sure, discounts can totally take a business from the ground up to the skies, but here’s the catch: if discounts aren’t used strategically, they can backfire. So, whether you’re running a business or starting one, knowing the different types of discounts in marketing and their pros and cons can give you a real edge!
What Is a General Discount?
General discounts are exactly what they sound like; generally open to everyone! They’re not limited to any specific group of people or special customers. These are price reductions offered to all eligible shoppers, typically as a set percentage or dollar amount.
For a clearer picture, think of Black Friday, originally a U.S. tradition, which is now celebrated worldwide. Retailers, both online and in-store, rolling out major price drops on everything in the store.
But general discounts aren’t just for Black Friday! You can run general discounts in events like:
- Seasonal Sales
- Weekend Specials
- Store Anniversaries
- End-of-Year and Holiday Sales
Pros and Cons of General Discounts
Let’s break down the good and the not-so-good of general discounts at a glance:
What Is a Volume/Quantity Discount?
Are you a business owner trying to boost sales without coming off as a pushy seller? Types of discounts vary and this is where volume or quantity discounts come in handy!
The more items your customer pick, the bigger their savings! That’s the magic of volume or quantity discounts. To understand the difference between volume discounts .and other pricing models, check out our guide on what is tiered discount
These discounts are perfect for encouraging customers to add a little more to each order, an easy way to boost your average order value (AOV) while giving customers great value for their money! You can make things even more exciting with a little tiered pricing magic!
A real example of a quantity discount is at wholesale clubs like Costco. The deal? Buy 100 items or more, and get a 10% discount on all the items. Whether it’s a jumbo pack of paper towels or a stash of snacks, these discounts reward bulk buys, giving customers great savings when they stock up.
You can try volume/quantity discounts in these situations:
- As seasonal discounts
- Inventory Clearouts
- Loyalty Programs
Pros and Cons of Volume / Quantity Discount
Let’s take a quick look at the ups and downs of quantity discounts:
Minimum Purchase Value Discount?
Just like the previous discount types, a minimum purchase value discount is another great way to boost your average order value! As the name suggests, they’ll need to reach or exceed a specified minimum purchase amount to qualify. With this approach, you, as a seller, set a rule: if customers meet a certain (minimum) spending amount, they unlock a discount.
Here’s an example to make it clearer: imagine you’re a business owner setting a minimum purchase of $50. Customers who spend at least that amount can snag a discount, whether it’s 10% off or a flat $5 off.
Here are some perfect times to roll out this type of discount:
- Holiday Sales
- Black Friday
- Cyber Monday
- Seasonal promotions
- Special product launches
For tips on maximizing this strategy for important events, read our article on discount pricing strategies for BFCM.
Pros and Cons of Minimum Purchase Value Discount
Let’s check out the pros and cons of offering discounts with a minimum purchase requirement:
What Is a Trade Discount?
Discounts for buying in bulk aren’t just for customers! Business owners like you can also cash in on the perks! With trade discounts, you get to save big when purchasing larger quantities. Unlike those other types of discounts in marketing we've discussed earlier, a trade discount is unique to B2B markets. Think of it as a special price cut given directly by wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, like retailers, who buy in bulk or have an established relationship.
For instance, a wholesaler might offer a 15% trade discount on a bulk purchase. If the original order was $1,000, the buyer would only pay $850. With trade discounts, everyone’s walking away happy; buyers get savings upfront, and wholesalers encourage bigger purchases and stronger partnerships.
Do you know the difference between trade discount and cash discount?
Pros and Cons of Trade Discount
Some key benefits and drawbacks of running trade discount can be like:
What Is a Cash Discount/Early Payment?
So far, we’ve explored various types of discount in marketing, and that's just the tip of the iceberg!
Let’s introduce another popular discount tactic: the cash discount. Long story short, this is when a seller offers a price reduction if the customer pays ahead of time.
For example, if an invoice is due in 30 days, we can offer a 2% discount if the buyer pays within the first 10 days and saves a little extra.
If you're curious to dive deeper into different types of discounts in marketing, we’ve got a complete guide ready for you, covering everything about cash discounts, including a comparison between cash and trade discounts!
- Cash discounts can be super handy for different occasions, like seasonal promotions or end-of-year events. The goal is simple: to boost cash flow while rewarding those early payments.
Pros and Cons of Cash Discounts
Below is a quick look at the pros and cons of cash discounts:
What Is a Bundled Discount?
All in good time! Now, let’s dive into another popular type of discount in marketing: the Bundled discount. The term 'bundle' basically means a package deal. A bundled discount is when a group of items gets a sweet price drop. Imagine having different items, like shoes, pants, and a jacket, all at separate prices. But with a bundled discount, the price of each item in that package goes down!
Ever scored a deal like that?"
A great example of this type of discount is McDonald’s menu. They offer a combo of a burger, fries, and a drink at a discount compared to buying each item separately.
Bundled discounts are great for different situations, like:
- Seasonal Sales
- Product Launches
- Slow-Moving Inventory
- Holidays and Special Occasions
- Subscription Services
For more strategies on customer engagement on events with more traffics on shopiofy stores line Halloween, check out our guide on Halloween marketing ideas for Shopify stores.
Pros and Cons of Bundled Discounts
Let’s take a quick look at the upsides and downsides of bundled discounts to help you decide if it’s the right fit:
What Is a Flash Discount?
When you think of a "flash," you probably picture something quick and bright, a fast move or a sudden sparkle! Flash discounts work the same way! They're designed to spark that Fear of Missing out (FOMO) and disappear in just a few hours. That’s what makes them special! They don’t stick around forever; blink, and they’re gone!
One of the most popular examples is Amazon Prime Day, which offers limited-time deals across many categories just for Prime members. Some of these deals only last a few hours or until they’re gone!
- You can run flash discounts everywhere, from holiday seasons and special anniversary sales to end-of-season sales and overstock sales!
Pros and Cons of Flash Discounts
Here’s a snapshot of the pros and cons of bundled discounts to make things clearer:
What Is a BOGO Discount?
Discounts are like an ocean; every scroll brings a new wave of deals in marketing for your business! Amazing, right? Now, let's catch the wave of a fan favorite: the BOGO discount!
‘BOGO,’ short for “Buy One, Get One,” offers your customers to grab two of the same items, with the second one coming in totally free!
Businesses like Starbucks run this popular promo on select days, where you can grab your favorite drink and get a second one on the house. Perfect for sharing or just doubling up on your favorite treat!
Pros and Cons of BOGO Discounts
Let’s take a quick look at the ups and downs of flash discounts:
What Is a Free Shipping Discount?
People aren’t exactly fans of shipping costs! those extra fees can feel like a real downer and sounds like a buzkill! But here’s the good news: you can dodge that negativity by offering a free shipping discount. No extra delivery costs mean a smoother, happier shopping experience for your customers, and who doesn’t want that?
This type of discount can be super versatile in marketing, fitting right into all the events we talked about earlier. Here are a few ways you could offer it as a business owner:
- Site-Wide Free Shipping: Every order qualifies for free shipping; no minimum purchase needed!
- Conditional Free Shipping: Customers unlock free shipping by spending a certain amount (like "Free shipping on orders over $50").
- Promotional Free Shipping: Free shipping is available for a limited time or during special promos, like holidays or flash sales.
- Subscription-Based Free Shipping: Some retailers, like Amazon with Prime, provide free shipping as a perk for subscribers.
For effective implementation, explore our guide on free shipping marketing strategies.
Pros and Cons of Free Shipping Discounts
Pros and cons of free shipping discounts at a glance:
Final Thoughts
That’s a wrap on the different types of discounts in marketing! As you’ve seen, each discount type has its own ups and downs, and not every strategy fits every business. For example, free shipping is great for Amazon’s high-volume, low-margin model, but it doesn’t bring much value to a luxury brand like Gucci.
Here at Discounty, you’ll find different kinds of discount campaigns, like general discounts and quantity discounts, and you can easily check which ones suit your business best. Don’t stress! no matter your business type, Discounty has a golden solution ready for you!
