In today's competitive retail environment, every dollar counts—not just for consumers but for retailers as well. Digital coupons have emerged as a powerful tool, enabling retailers to connect with savvy shoppers seeking savings while enhancing the shopping experience. The problem? Despite having thousands of digital coupons available, many consumers are unaware they exist. However, by embracing the right technology stack, retailers can leverage digital coupons to drive sales, build brand loyalty, and ultimately increase profitability. The many benefits of digital coupons prove to be a worthwhile investment in innovative technology that can not only keep up with shopper expectations but exceed them, bringing a whole new meaning to customer engagement.
Driving sales through real savings
Digital coupons are more than just discounts; they represent a strategic avenue for increasing sales. By offering targeted deals, retailers can encourage customers to make purchases they might not have considered otherwise. In fact, a recent study shows that “38% of American consumers buy more than they intended when they have a coupon; 67% will make an unplanned purchase because of a coupon.”
With advancements in technology, shoppers can scan their items in-store while shopping on a retailer’s mobile app and easily clip available digital coupons on eligible items. This not only enhances their shopping experience but also drives additional sales in the store.
Convenience for customers
Retailers understand that convenience is key. Digital coupons eliminate the hassle of paper coupons, which can easily be forgotten at home. Customers can access and redeem offers seamlessly using their mobile devices or an interactive touchscreen in-store, whether at home creating a shopping list or at the checkout counter. By making it easy for customers to save, retailers empower them to enjoy their shopping experience without the anxiety of overspending.
Enhancing the shopping experience with personalization
Personalization has become increasingly important in the retail landscape. By utilizing AI machine-learning technology like ECRS’ Cognition Artemis™, retailers can offer highly targeted discounts based on customer shopping behaviors. For example, if a customer frequently purchases snack items, retailers can automatically send them exclusive coupon offers for their favorites. This personal touch makes shoppers feel valued and encourages repeat visits, ultimately fostering long-term relationships.
Cultivating brand loyalty
Everyone appreciates a good deal, and digital coupons provide retailers with a unique opportunity to build relationships with customers. By consistently offering valuable deals in ways they can be effortlessly redeemed, retailers not only enhance customer satisfaction but also cultivate brand loyalty. Customers who feel appreciated are more likely to choose a particular store over competitors, leading to repeat business and increased customer lifetime value.
A variety of offers to engage customers
Digital coupons can take many forms—percentage-off deals, cashback offers, and buy-one-get-one-free promotions, to name a few. This variety allows retailers to cater to different customer preferences and needs, driving engagement and encouraging shoppers to explore new products in-store and online. To add to the variety of coupon offers, retailers should opt for a solution that allows digital coupon providers to easily integrate with their entire POS system like ECRS’ CATAPULT® Retail POS. By having a suite of generic coupon and third-party loyalty APIs, retailers can offer thousands of digital coupons from multiple vendors, providing their shoppers with even more opportunities to save. The more choices provided, the more likely customers are to take advantage of the offers.
“It’s estimated that a significant number of manufacturer grocery coupons go unused every day. In fact, only about 0.85% of all coupons issued in 2023 were redeemed,” said ECRS Founder & CEO Pete Catoe. “Given that billions of coupons are distributed annually, this means millions of coupons are never redeemed. So what good is a coupon if shoppers can’t find or clip it? This is where retailers stand to gain a huge vantage point by providing their customers with an easy way to instantly clip and save at their store right at the cashier lane or online.”
Bridging the gap
To maximize the benefits of digital coupons, effective solutions must simplify access for customers. Tools like ECRS’ Connect+Clip™ deliver manufacturer coupons directly to shoppers at checkout, whether online, at a self-checkout, or in the cashier lane. Having digital coupon delivery software that is integrated with the entire point-of-sale technology stack guarantees a seamless shopping experience no matter where or how a shopper chooses to clip coupons.
During a recent interview with North State Grocery Inc., they were asked about what digital coupon technology they think would be valuable. They replied, “The interactive customer display. The touch screen—let them do their thing while we’re scanning their groceries. We’ve been dying for something like that.” The touch screen display at checkout would allow shoppers to utilize Connect+Clip to redeem available digital coupons on items as they are being scanned by cashiers as well as AI-recommended coupons for future redemption using CATAPULT Cognition™’s machine-learning technology. By empowering shoppers to clip digital coupons during checkout, check on their loyalty account, and save AI-recommended coupons for future purchases, retailers can create an engaging, positive experience that keeps their customers coming back.
Strengthening connections with manufacturers
Retailers can leverage their partnering CPG marketing dollars to fund discounts to their consumers; however, the problem is that while manufacturer digital coupons exist, consumers are likely unaware of them. With the right digital coupon clipping solution, shoppers can effortlessly find available coupons while retailers can easily collaborate with manufacturers to deliver relevant and timely offers to them. This increased visibility drives demand for products while enriching the overall shopping experience. Manufacturers also benefit from valuable insights into customer preferences, creating a powerful synergy between retailers, brands, and shoppers.
A win-win for everyone
The advantages of digital coupons extend to all stakeholders. Retailers gain foot traffic and sales, manufacturers see an increase in demand for their products, and customers enjoy substantial savings—resulting in a thriving shopping ecosystem that benefits everyone.
Conclusion
Digital coupons are reshaping the retail landscape, offering immense opportunities for retailers to connect with customers, boost sales, and enhance the shopping experience. By leveraging tools like ECRS’ Connect+Clip to streamline and maximize coupon offerings, retailers position themselves to meet the evolving needs of consumers in a competitive market. Now is the time for retailers to implement a digital coupon strategy to create a more rewarding shopping experience for customers and a prosperous future for their businesses.
About ECRS
ECRS is a US-based, Certified Evergreen™ transaction and retail solutions provider, with a successful track record that stretches over 30 years. ECRS future-proofs local and regional retailers to win in today’s market, while preparing them for tomorrow’s opportunities. ECRS’ revolutionary CATAPULT® POS system is the market’s only truly unified transaction platform, running in thousands of locations across North America. With CATAPULT, the point of sale, self-checkout, deli scales, fuel pump, pharmacy, web-store, inventory, customer loyalty, back office, e-commerce, and enterprise management all share one single transactional logic. Unified Transaction Logic® empowers retailers to prosper by providing actionable business intelligence across their enterprise. Unifying hardware, software, and services, ECRS offers friction-free, cost-saving solutions that increase customer engagement while transforming the consumer experience.
