Gone are the days of physically clipping coupons every week: now, websites and browser extensions like RetailMeNot, Honey and Simplycodes make it easy for shoppers to find discounts.
But data shows that many retailers rely on email to share their best deals.
“We’ve seen a 30% increase in coupon codes issued by retailers this year compared to last year,” said Allison Mack, vice president of marketing at SimplyCodes.
Deals vary by day: Friday is the best day for consumers to save money when shopping online, according to SimplyCodes, which analyzed 30,000 marketing emails sent by retailers between March and July.
“Because Friday is payday, retailers know that consumers have more purchasing power on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,” Mack said, “so they try to capitalize on this increased purchasing power by offering discounts and sales at those times.”
Approximately 52% of coupon codes are released between Wednesday and Friday, with fewer discounts sent out on weekends.
SimplyCodes also found that categories such as women’s clothing, skincare and alcoholic beverage stores announced the most sales over the weekend.
If you can’t find a discount for a particular store, let us know.
“If you don’t have the code, often times you can just ask the store’s retailer’s customer support team and they will provide you with the code,” Mack said.
Consumers can make the most of weekly online sales by doing their research at the beginning of the week. Compare prices across retailers and use price trackers to ensure you’re getting the best value. Also, look for opportunities to combine coupons with ongoing sales. And don’t forget to take advantage of cash back offers to maximize your savings.
Another trick is this:
“If you actually put some items in your shopping cart and then decide to abandon it and not buy it, you’ll get an email and we’ll offer you a discount as an incentive to complete the purchase,” Mack explained.
She also recommends managing your email subscriptions to avoid inundating your inbox with emails from retailers: Be strategic about which email lists you join and prioritize your favorite stores so you don’t miss out on any big offers.
