What are Types of Discounts?

Types of Discounts

Discounts are reductions to the regular price of a product or service. Businesses offer discounts as a promotional tactic to increase sales, clear out inventory, reward customers, or target a specific audience segment. Here are some common types of discounts:

• Cash Discounts:
  • Aimed at accelerating payments and improving cash flow.
  • Example: “2/10, net 30” means a 2% discount is given if payment is made within 10 days, but the full (net) amount is due within 30 days.
• Quantity Discounts:
  • Discounts based on the quantity purchased.
  • Example: “Buy 10 get 1 free” or “10% off when you purchase 3 or more.
• Trade or Functional Discounts:
  • Offered to channel members for performing their roles, like wholesalers or retailers.
  • Example: A manufacturer might give a retailer a 15% trade discount to stock and sell their product.
• Seasonal Discounts:
  • To stimulate sales during off-peak seasons.
  • Example: Offering winter clothing at a discount in spring to clear out inventory.
• Promotional or Cash-Off Discounts:
  • Temporary reductions in price, often used to quickly move stock.
  • Example: “$5 off your next purchase.”
• Rebate:
  • A customer pays the full price upfront but can claim a part of it back after purchase.
  • Example: A $300 smartphone with a $50 mail-in rebate effectively costs $250.
• Loyalty or Membership Discounts:
  • Given to members of a loyalty program or repeat customers.
  • Example: A coffee shop offering every 10th coffee for free as a loyalty reward.
• Employee Discounts:
  • Offered to employees of a company, often as a perk.
  • Example: A retail store offering its employees 20% off on all products.
• Early Bird Discounts:
  • Offered to those who buy or register early.
  • Example: Register for a workshop two months early and get 15% off the regular price.
• Bundle Discounts:
  • Reduction in price when products are bought together.
  • Example: Buying a computer, monitor, and keyboard together for a combined lower price.
• Senior or Student Discounts:
  • Special discounts for specific groups like seniors or students.
  • Example: A movie theater offering reduced ticket prices for senior citizens.
• Flash Sales:
  • Deep discounts offered for a very short period, often used to create urgency.
  • Example: An online store offering 50% off everything for the next two hours.
• Volume Discounts:
  • Price reductions based on the amount purchased.
  • Example: The price per unit drops when ordering more than 100 units of a product.
• Trade-In Discounts:
  • Discounts given when a customer trades in an old item while purchasing a new one.
  • Example: Getting $200 off a new car when trading in an old vehicle.
• Referral Discounts:
  • Offered to customers who refer new customers.
  • Example: Refer a friend, and both of you get $10 off your next purchase.

The type of discount a business chooses depends on its objectives, the nature of the product, market conditions, and customer behavior. Regardless of the type, discounts should be used strategically, ensuring that they achieve the intended goal without unnecessarily eroding profits.

Example of Types of Discounts

Let’s create a hypothetical scenario using a retail clothing store named “Urban Trends” to illustrate various types of discounts in practice.

Scenario: “Urban Trends” wants to increase sales, clear out seasonal inventory, and reward its loyal customers in the upcoming month.

1. Cash Discounts:

• “Urban Trends” offers a special deal: “Pay within five days of your purchase and get a 5% discount on your total bill.”

2. Quantity Discounts:

• On a display of socks: “Buy 3 pairs, get the 4th pair free.”

3. Trade or Functional Discounts:

• “Urban Trends” provides a 15% discount to local boutique shops that buy their products for resale.

4. Seasonal Discounts:

• Summer is ending, so they offer: “End-of-Summer Sale! 30% off all summer dresses.”

5. Promotional or Cash-Off Discounts:

• Over the weekend: “Flash Sale! Get $10 off any purchase over $50.”

6. Rebate:

• On a high-end leather jacket: “Pay $250 now and claim a $50 rebate online within 30 days.”

7. Loyalty or Membership Discounts:

• For members: “Loyalty Members Special! Extra 10% off your purchase this month.”

8. Employee Discounts:

• To its staff: “Employee Appreciation Week! Enjoy 25% off all items.”

9. Early Bird Discounts:

• For the upcoming winter collection preview: “First 50 customers get an exclusive 20% early bird discount.”

10. Bundle Discounts:

• “Buy a shirt + jeans combo and get 15% off.”

11. Senior or Student Discounts:

• Every Tuesday: “Student Day! Show your student ID and get 20% off.”

12. Flash Sales:

• “Online Exclusive: 50% off select items from 1 PM to 3 PM today!”

13. Volume Discounts:

• For wholesale buyers: “Order 100 t-shirts or more and get them at a reduced price of $8 each, down from $12.”

14. Trade-In Discounts:

• “Bring in your old jeans, no matter the brand, and get $15 off a new pair.”

15. Referral Discounts:

• To existing customers: “Refer a friend to shop online, and both of you get a $10 discount on your next purchase.”

Throughout the month, “Urban Trends” uses a combination of these discount types to drive foot traffic, increase sales, clear inventory, and build customer loyalty. As a result, their sales figures see a substantial boost, and they successfully clear out older stock to make room for the new season’s collection.