Sales promotion is one of the four aspects of promotional mix and Discounts Coupons. The other three parts of the promotional mix are advertising, personal selling. Sales promotions are non-personal promotional efforts that are designed to have an immediate impact on sales. Media and non-media marketing communications are employed for a pre-determined, limited time to increase consumer demand, stimulate market demand or improve product availability. Examples include:
coupons
discounts and sales, including Blue Cross Sale
contests
point of purchase displays
rebates
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Discounts and Rebates
free samples (in the case of food items)
gifts and incentive items
free travel, such as free flights
Sales promotions can be directed at either the customer, sales staff, or distribution channel members such as retailers. Sales promotions targeted at the consumer are called consumer sales promotions. Sales promotions targeted at retailers and wholesale are called trade sales promotions. Sales Promotion Coupons, Discounts and Rebates particularly ones with unusual methods, are considered gimmick by many rebates.