Techniques of Sales Promotion.
(i) Free samples: Distributing free samples is one of the most popular techniques of sales promotion. You might have received free samples of shampoo, coffee powder, etc. while purchasing various items from the market. Sometimes these free samples are also distributed by the shopkeeper even without purchasing any item from his shop. These are distributed to attract consumers to try out a new product and thereby create new customers.
(ii) Premium or Bonus offer: In such a technique, the free additional quantity of a product is given to the consumer in the same price of the product or some free related item is given. A milk shaker along with Nescafe, a toothbrush with 500 grams of toothpaste, 25% extra in a pack of one kg. are the examples of premium or bonus is given free with the purchase of a product They are effective in inducing consumers to buy a particular product.
(iii) Exchange scheme: This technique includes offering the exchange of old product for a new product at a price less than the original price of the product. This is useful for drawing attention to product improvement.
(iv) Price-off-offer: Under this offer, products are sold at a price lower than the original price. For Example-Rs. 5 off on purchase of 250 grams of Red Label Tea.
(v) Coupons: Sometimes, coupons are issued by manufacturers either in the packet of a product or through an advertisement printed in the newspaper or magazine or through the mail. These coupons can be presented to the retailer while buying the product. The holder of the coupon gets the product at a discount.
