Discounts and coupons: When are they advantageous, and when do they result in losses?

Discounts are ubiquitous in the world of retail and commerce. But when do they truly benefit businesses, and when might they be better replaced with alternative incentives for customers? Let's delve into this topic in detail.

Why are discounts employed in the first place?

The use of trade discounts emerged relatively recently, gaining traction in the United States during the 1930s primarily within the wholesale sector before expanding to retail in the 1950s. Today, discounts permeate almost every facet of commerce, from promotions to coupons and sales events. They serve several key purposes:

- Clearing out seasonal inventory.
- Attracting customers with competitive pricing.
- Cultivating a favorable brand image by demonstrating care for customers.
- Prompting impulse purchases by exerting pressure on buyers.
- Liquidating surplus, slow-moving, or outdated stock.


Interestingly, discounts ranging from 5-10% are often perceived as negligible by consumers, merely token gestures. A discount of 15% or more, however, tends to capture attention and drive sales, signaling a substantial savings opportunity.

Nevertheless, smaller discounts still hold marketing value, albeit with less impact. Consumers have grown accustomed to minor concessions.







Here are four common strategies for leveraging discounts effectively:

1. Boosting profitability through strategic discounting: Offering discounts can enhance profits by stimulating sales, particularly for items with limited shelf life or seasonal relevance. For instance, applying a modest 10% discount on surplus inventory can accelerate turnover without eroding margins.

2. Clearing out stagnant inventory: Discounts are instrumental in offloading outdated or slow-moving merchandise that might otherwise languish unsold. Leveraging discounts on last season's collections or obsolete products can rejuvenate demand and pave the way for newer offerings.

3. Attracting new clientele: In a fiercely competitive market, price differentials can sway customers towards a particular retailer. Even minor price adjustments can entice new buyers to make purchases, thereby expanding the customer base.

4. Fostering customer loyalty: Retaining customers is as crucial as attracting new ones. Implementing a tiered discount system, where discounts increase with each subsequent purchase, incentivizes repeat business. However, it's imperative to calibrate discount levels to ensure profitability and sustainability.

In conclusion, while discounts can be potent tools for driving sales and fostering customer loyalty, their efficacy hinges on strategic implementation and careful consideration of long-term implications. Balancing short-term gains with sustainable business practices is key to maximizing the benefits of discounting strategies.



Identifying when offering a discount becomes disadvantageous for sellers is crucial for maintaining profitability. Here are scenarios where discounts may prove detrimental:

- Following the herd mentality: When suppliers offer discounts simply because others are doing it, without understanding the underlying rationale.
- Caving to client demands: Yielding to customer requests for discounts without exploring alternative solutions or value-added propositions.
- Random discounting: Haphazardly slashing prices without considering the impact on profitability or the product's market value.
- Using discounts as a crutch: Employing discounts as a last resort to salvage a sale, rather than engaging in effective communication and salesmanship.
- Competitive pressure: Succumbing to the fear of being overshadowed by competitors and resorting to discounts to maintain parity.
- Lack of sales expertise: Resorting to discounts due to an inability to effectively engage customers and close deals through other means.


Hence, it's advisable to refrain from offering discounts when:

- Short-term gain outweighs long-term benefit: If a discount fails to cultivate customer loyalty or repeat business, it may prove to be a futile expense in the long run.
- Discount exceeds profitability: Offering discounts that erode profit margins or lead to selling products at cost or below cost is unsustainable.
- Discounts are used defensively: Offering discounts solely to undercut competitors without a clear strategy for profitability may result in diminishing returns.


In essence, the decision to offer discounts should be guided by a thorough analysis of their economic impact and alignment with long-term business objectives rather than reactionary measures or competitive pressures.



To ascertain whether a discount is advantageous, several key steps must be taken:

- Determine the product cost: Calculate the total cost of acquiring the product, including the wholesale price and any associated transportation and delivery expenses. For instance, if you procure 10 phones from China at $100 each, with an additional $50 for transportation, the total cost per phone is $150.
- Calculate potential profit: Utilize a business plan to estimate the profit from selling the product, factoring in sales projections and overhead costs. The speed of product turnover significantly impacts profit potential, as quicker sales allow for more frequent restocking.
- Define discount objectives: Clearly establish the purpose behind offering discounts. Whether it's attracting new customers, liquidating surplus inventory, or positioning the online store as a destination for competitive pricing, understanding the goal is crucial in determining the discount size and strategy.


For example, suppose you typically sell phones acquired from China at a 100 percent markup, pricing them at $300 each over a month. Offering a 10 percent discount reduces the price to $270, yielding a personal profit of $120 per phone. Additionally, faster sales turnover means you can reinvest profits more swiftly. However, offering a 50 percent discount may attract a surge of buyers but could potentially erode profitability, as it would entail selling the phones at cost or even below. While this strategy may boost immediate sales volume, careful consideration of long-term financial sustainability is essential.

The optimal discount size hinges on a delicate balance of various factors. Experimentation with different markup and discount configurations can help identify the most profitable approach while aligning with business objectives.



Here are some useful tips for navigating the realm of discounts and alternative strategies:

- Understand customer desires: Become adept at discerning whether customers seek discounts, a sense of exclusivity, or simply enjoy negotiating. Being attuned to customer motivations is crucial for effective salesmanship.
- Tailor discounts to customer tiers: Offer larger discounts to VIP clients to enhance their sense of importance and loyalty. Discounts not only lower prices but also confer special status upon customers, so allocate them judiciously.
- Establish a clear discount system: Design a straightforward discount framework that is transparent and user-friendly for both managers and customers. Avoid convoluted terms or hidden discounts. Consider implementing a cumulative discount system or offering discounts for specific actions like prepayments or referrals.
- Consider alternatives to discounts: While discounts are common, they're not the only method for attracting customers. Explore other incentives such as promotions, giveaways, or bundled products. Ensure that gifts are high-quality and relevant to customer needs.
- Compete on price or quality: If discounts aren't feasible, consider setting competitive prices or emphasizing product quality. A lower initial price point or a reputation for superior quality can attract customers effectively.
- Prioritize excellent service: Outstanding service can be a powerful differentiator. Invest in efficient ordering and delivery processes, establish responsive customer support, and enhance the overall shopping experience. Personalized gestures like holiday greetings or useful information can foster customer loyalty.


Ultimately, discounts should be mutually beneficial for both sellers and buyers. Strive to strike a balance that maximizes value without sacrificing profitability, and explore diverse strategies to engage customers beyond mere price reductions.