Bounce-backs:
giving customers an incentive to return to your store!
You asked for it, so here you go: favorite and effective BOUNCE-BACK ideas.
A bounce-back offer is a coupon or promotion included with an in-store purchase, online order, refund/return or gift package that strives to bring the customer back at a future date. This promotional strategy encourages customers to return to your store (or website), typically during a specific time frame.
Even if you have never offered a bounce-back offer to your customers, I am sure you have seen them. For instance, those coupons printed with, or on your receipt at the grocery or drug store. Grocery bounce-back coupons are not random. They are based on something purchased that day or a recent purchase according to your purchase history tracked via a rewards/loyalty program.
A key reason bounce back campaigns in December are so successful is because they offer something to customers who already shop with you. It’s a treat for your “regular” customers, but it also encourages first-time holiday gift purchasers to come back later.
Many independent stores use bounce-back offers during the holidays to bring people back in January and February, which are traditionally slower revenue months. Even though an offer may not be based on specific items purchased, indie retailers can easily offer different levels of discounts based on purchase amounts.
Here are some successful bounce-back offers I have created or noted over the years: (Keep in mind that some of these are intended to be printed on receipts, on a card or small flier and some are via text, email or snail mail.)
For Gift Card purchasers: Buy a Gift Card for $XXX or more and get a $XX Gift Card that’s effective in January 2024 ( & no expiry date). The most popular lately seems to be $20 free card with the purchase of a $100 Gift Card or $50/$250. You can also scale up the free with purchase options so the free card is larger with higher dollar gift card purchases. (ie: $20 gift card free with $100 GC, $60 GC with purchase of $250 GC, $150 GC with $500).
A revision of the Gift Card bounce-back idea above: Offer a free Gift Card in those amounts based on any purchase, not just the purchase of Gift Cards.
After Christmas SALE bounce-back. (This one can be printed on the bottom of receipts if you have that option, but a small flier or card in each bag or package is more effective.) Offer an additional % off for after-Christmas clearance sale and you can specify that it is for holidy-themed merchandise or not.
This one works best for stores that sell more gifts than self-purchases: use a message like this… Thanks for choosing STORE NAME for your gift giving this year! To express our LOVE/gratitude, here’s a %off or $$ to use in January or February. We can’t wait to show you all the fun Valentine (or Spring) merchandise.
Keep reading for my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE bounce-back promotion from a retailer friend in Virginia and also read about an idea for how to use a bounce-back promo in an unexpected way!
…Bounce-back coupons or offers are not simply an opportunity for retailers to increase traffic and sales in a controlled manner, they also provide an opportunity to create more personalized engagements with your customers and build loyalty.