---
title: "Do You Really Know How to Run Promotions? If Not, Check This Out! (With Operational Tips)"
description: "Why do your store's promotions seem to become less effective over time? This article introduces 13 types of promotional activities, analyzing their pros and cons to help you choose the right ones for your needs."
author: "New Distribution"
publisher: "New Distribution"
email: "zhaobo258@gmail.com"
telephone: "+8615854817671"
published: "2017-08-05"
language: "en"
canonical: "https://xinjignxiao.com/en/articles/do-you-really-know-how-to-run-promotions-if-not-check-this-out-with-oper-6d81b360/"
markdown: "https://xinjignxiao.com/en/articles/do-you-really-know-how-to-run-promotions-if-not-check-this-out-with-oper-6d81b360.md"
original_source: "https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/B9m60FIIStAc0ivPwy8PKg"
translation: "https://xinjignxiao.com/zh/articles/%E4%BF%83%E9%94%80%E4%BD%A0%E7%9C%9F%E7%9A%84%E4%BC%9A%E6%93%8D%E4%BD%9C%E5%90%97-%E4%B8%8D%E4%BC%9A%E5%B0%B1%E8%B5%B6%E5%BF%AB%E7%9C%8B%E7%9C%8B%E5%90%A7-%E9%99%84%E6%93%8D%E4%BD%9C%E5%BB%BA%E8%AE%AE-6d81b360.md"
attribution: "New Distribution — https://xinjignxiao.com/en/articles/do-you-really-know-how-to-run-promotions-if-not-check-this-out-with-oper-6d81b360/"
usage_policy: "https://xinjignxiao.com/ai-policy.txt"
---

# Do You Really Know How to Run Promotions? If Not, Check This Out! (With Operational Tips)

> Why do your store's promotions seem to become less effective over time? This article introduces 13 types of promotional activities, analyzing their pros and cons to help you choose the right ones for your needs.

Click the image for details.
Why do you run so many promotions in your store, yet they seem to become more tiring and less effective? Have you considered whether your promotions are too monotonous or not suited to your actual needs?
In reality, business competition is increasingly fierce, especially in retail, where methods and means are becoming more diverse. Therefore, promotional activities and methods are also varied. Promotions can enhance sales, and their forms are ever-changing.
So, today I'll introduce 13 promotional methods, with a review of their respective advantages and disadvantages, so you can choose and adjust based on your actual situation.
1. Price Varies with Quantity
"Price varies with quantity" is a common price promotion aimed at stimulating sales of a single product, where the price decreases as the quantity purchased increases.
Example: Buy 1 piece for 1 yuan, 2 pieces for 1.5 yuan, 3 pieces for 2 yuan.
Advantages: Price promotion encourages customers to buy more of the same product; good for single-item promotion.
Disadvantages: The greater the discount, the more obvious the effect; complex operation, many POS systems lack this function, requiring software support. Otherwise, loopholes may occur, such as cashier fraud; manual operation requires good supervision.
2. Buy One Get Two
"Buy one get one free" means buying a product and getting another of the same or a different product free. It's a common promotion. The free gift is usually best as a related product to the main item.
Example: Buy Tingmei shampoo 200ml and get (same type) Tingmei body wash 60ml free.
Advantages: Stimulates customers' desire to buy.
Disadvantages: This activity is usually for new or clearance products, so the gift must be attractive; ideally, the gift should be complementary to the main product or a current trend.
3. Exchange Purchase
"Exchange purchase" involves offering well-known brands or seasonal sensitive products at a price significantly lower than market value to attract customers, subject to certain conditions. There are two common methods: one is to buy a designated product and get another at a discounted price; the other is to spend a certain amount and get a designated product at a discounted price.
Example: Customers who spend 50 yuan can exchange for a designated product at 9.9 yuan (market price 14.8 yuan).
Advantages: Effectively increases average transaction value and stimulates consumption. Customers accept this well, and it can earn a reputation for "cheap prices."
Disadvantages: The exchange product must be attractive and something customers actually need. The greater the discount, the better the effect. If customers are not interested, the activity fails.
4. Add One Yuan for One More
"Add one yuan for one more" means buying a designated product and adding 1 yuan to get another of the same or a different product.
Example: Buy a 5-yuan Shaman Ting mask and add 1 yuan to get another (same type) Shaman Ting mask.
Advantages: Stimulates customers to buy. The free item for adding 1 yuan must be attractive, so product selection is crucial.
5. Cash Voucher
"Cash voucher" is a disguised buy-gift activity. Customers can use the voucher when they spend a specified amount in one transaction or buy designated products. The voucher can be used immediately or on the next purchase; it is not redeemable for cash and no change is given.
Advantages: Stimulates consumption, increases sales, raises average transaction value, adds surprise, and encourages repeat purchases.
Disadvantages: Affects normal gross margin. Usage restrictions may cause dissatisfaction, and there are loopholes, such as cashier fraud, requiring good supervision.
6. Lucky Draw / Spin the Wheel
"Lucky draw / spin the wheel" allows customers to draw or spin for free when they spend a specified amount. Usually, there are four to five prize levels, with the grand prize or first prize being attractive to engage customers. The more attractive the prizes, the more successful the activity. It can be done on-site or at a specific time.
Example: Customers who spend 30 yuan at a Gialen store can draw once for free, 60 yuan twice, with a maximum of 5 draws.
Advantages: Adds fun to shopping, satisfies customers' desire to "win big," and typically requires a minimum spend, increasing average transaction value. Key to success: attractive prizes.
Disadvantages: Draws are common across industries, so customer trust may be low. It requires props like draw boxes, spinning wheels, and tickets.
7. Scratch Card
"Scratch card" allows customers to scratch a card for free when they spend a specified amount, similar to a lucky draw. The card has several prize levels, and prizes are awarded on the spot.
Example: Spend 30 yuan and get a free scratch card.
Advantages: Instant win, high customer trust, adds fun, and is simple to operate. Customers like this format.
Disadvantages: News of big prizes may not spread widely, limiting impact.
8. Bundle Sales
"Bundle sales" involves bundling one product with another and repricing or selling at the price of one of the original products. This is a common promotion, similar to "buy one get one free," mainly for single-item sales.
Example: Body wash and a bath ball sold together.
Advantages: Stimulates product sales and increases average transaction value.
9. Flash Sale
"Flash sale" means selling products at a special discounted price during a specified time. The goal is to attract customers with well-known brands or sensitive products. Key features: the products are popular and well-known, the discount must be significant, and the time slot should be chosen based on the store's situation.
Example: From 10:00-11:00 on xx month xx day, product xxxxx is 40% off.
Advantages: Greatly attracts attention and builds a reputation for low prices.
Disadvantages: Limited quantity may not meet demand, causing dissatisfaction. Large discounts hurt profits.
10. Spend and Get (Product/Cash Voucher)
"Spend and get" means customers receive a gift (product or cash voucher) when they spend a certain amount. It's the most common promotion across industries, and the gift can be tailored to local conditions. Customers generally like this.
Example: Spend 30 yuan and get a 10-yuan cash voucher; or spend 30 yuan and get a hand cream.
Advantages: Increases average transaction value, stimulates consumption, and if a cash voucher is given, it can encourage repeat purchases.
Disadvantages: If the gift is not attractive, the activity fails; if the cash voucher is not redeemable on the spot, it may cause dissatisfaction.
11. Free Giveaway
"Free giveaway" is a common promotion, often used for new store openings, holiday promotions, or new product launches. It usually involves giving away free items at a specified time or quantity to attract attention.
Example: Customers who arrive within the first hour before opening can get a free gift from the store.
Advantages: Attracts attention and brings the surprise of receiving a free gift.
Disadvantages: The gifts are usually of low value, so they may not attract much interest.
12. Cut Corner Redemption
"Cut corner redemption" involves cutting a designated corner from a DM flyer or other promotional material to redeem for a prize (gift/coupon).
Advantages: Makes DM flyers or other materials more valuable, especially when using newspapers or magazines, which can spread far and enhance brand awareness or reputation.
Disadvantages: Newspaper cut corners may have poor response rates, as distant target customers are less likely to come; the coverage is small, limiting advertising reach.
13. Discount Sale
"Discount sale" is the most common promotion, offering a discount on a product to stimulate bulk sales. It is often used for clearance items (end-of-season, clearance, near-expiry, damaged goods) or new products, or as a special holiday offer.
Advantages: Real discounts attract customers; discounts on products that rarely go on sale or well-known brands are especially effective in certain contexts.
Disadvantages: Frequent discounts can harm the brand; excessive discounts may cause distrust. Discounted clearance items can have a negative impact.
Source: Internet


---

## Copyright and AI use

This article is sourced from New Distribution. Search, quotation, summarization, and model training are permitted, but every use must credit New Distribution and retain the canonical source URL.

Contact: zhaobo258@gmail.com · +86 158 5481 7671