Gift with Purchase

By Tom Gudekunst

For years top brands have used a promotional gift with purchase to woo new customers, and appreciate loyal clients. These can be small and inexpensive, or the kind of thing that’s saved up for. Participation in promotional programs increases loyalty and positive feelings toward a favorite brand.

Here are some great ideas to consider when looking to achieve higher point-of-purchase sales.

Do you remember the thrill of getting to the bottom of the cereal box and finding a coveted whistle toy?

Or saving your wrappers to send into the Kool-Aid man himself for your very own pitcher and mugs set? I still use mine frequently and my kids love it too. The cute plastic mugs are kid-friendly and don’t break when they are dropped.

Think of how many toys McDonald's gives away every year in happy meals… Considerable.com says it’s 1.5 billion annually, worldwide. That’s a lot of gifts with purchase. I used to love all of the prizes that could be found and received.

Gift with Purchases are appealing

For instance, on a recent trip to the liquor store, I had a more mature gift with a purchase scenario. My favorite bottle in the whole store was on special, and it came in a gift box. Inside was a custom-molded and decorated flask, sporting my favorite spiced rum’s logo.

“This would go great with a pirate costume”, I thought, but I did feel a little ridiculous buying myself a gift box. When I bought it I had the anticipation of getting to open and enjoy my new gift with purchase. Instead, my wife encouraged me to store it under the bed, wrapped for my birthday celebration.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I wasn’t even in the store for Rum. The visit was made for a different product but because I saw the nifty gift with purchase I spent more money and increased the rum company’s profits. Additionally, I left feeling happier with my purchase because I was excited about the special item and my favorite brand. Since my parents know I love that brand they bought me the same gift box. Now I have two gifts with purchase. One for me and one for my first mate!

Ways we can help

Recently one of our dispensary clients wanted to find a way to help sell one brand of flower over another. Both flowers were comparable in look, the cost and lab numbers were the same but the lower margin product consistently sold better. Wondering what to do, our client came to Higher Promos questioning how to shift the tide to their preferred product. We suggested our gift with purchase method. The packet of organic hemp rolling papers they decided on created a lasting impression each time their customers went to twist one up. These branded goods encourage higher spending, have a positive emotional effect on the buyer and help them to remember the brand they love. Ask a qualified Higher Promos representative about how you can use a gift with purchase for your brand.

Tom Gudekunst has helped organizations purchase promotional products since 2005. He achieved his Certified Advertising Specialist designation in 2012. He enjoys spending time with his family, including two cats, two chickens, two children, and his wife.

• Category: Advertising Value
• Tags: Promotional Product, Brand