Digital coupons making a splash in retail
With the rapid growth of more comprehensive technological tools, businesses and institutions worldwide have been looking at ways to “digitize” common practices. We have recently discussed the movement towards online sales and web stores, but this is just one example of the trend. There are also ways that retail businesses can incorporate technology into their existing practices. A recent story published in the Tampa Bay Times highlights the news that Publix is releasing its digital coupon system to all of its stores. The article explains:
“Digital coupons offer bargain hunters another tool beyond cutting manufacturer coupons and taking them to the store. Shoppers select coupons online through Publix’s website and redeem them at checkout by entering their 10-digit phone number on a keypad.”
Digital coupons bring a number of benefits to the table. For one, they’re easier to keep track of than little pieces of paper – and they’re also better for the environment. Additionally, customers can have access to the entire library of available coupons at the click of a button rather than having to exhaust resources looking for different catalogs, newspapers, and so on.
Although it is true that coupons play a bigger part in some types of retail businesses than in others – grocery stores being the obvious biggest market – this type of change is indicative of a positive progression towards more convenience and more accessibility. Even retailers that don’t typically use coupons could use the web to advertise products and potentially offer customers an incentive to visit their web space. Pre-orders, for example, can be performed entirely online and may even offer a discount.
It is exciting to see the digitization of tried and true retail practices – we eagerly await the next steps!
