I’m used to seeing coupon codes online, but don’t see it so often in stores. where online can take the lead from bricks and mortars stores.
Image © ambernectar
In physical stores they will only display discounts and coupons that everyone can claim. e.g. 20% off everything in store.
whereas online there is quite frequently the “enter code here if you have a coupon”
I saw for the first time, a restaurant that offered 20% off your meal if you presented a cinema or a theatre ticket.
I was literally entering the restaurant when I saw this advertised on an a-board outside.
seeing this and knowing I had neither put me off immediately. I didn’t want to pay full price whilst others were getting it cheaper. it sent me on a five minute hunt to find the nearest cinema. and when I realised I wasn’t going to get a cinema ticket. we purposefully chose another restaurant to eat at.
Before seeing the sign I was on their doorstep ready to go in, but bailed at the last second.
I wonder how much addition business they gain by running this promotion compared to business lost through people like me being put off? To my mind it’s a case of the offline world copying the online, where offline had the right approach in the first place.