Nova Scotia stores use birthday bonuses to win over customers
From ice cream to gift certificates to big coupons, many retail stores and restaurants in Nova Scotia are boarding the birthday bandwagon, seeing it as an opportunity to win over customers by giving them a gift.
"It's a minor cost. It's worth its weight in gold when people come back," said Jeremie Campbell, the manager at Hamachi Kita, a sushi restaurant in Halifax. "Personally, if I get a $10 gift certificate, I'm ecstatic."
Fallon Walsh is an avid shopper who loves to head to the mall every year on her birthday to buy a new outfit for her celebration. She always looks for deals at salons and restaurants, but had no idea retailers are now offering deals.
"It's awesome, I will definitely ask every store I go in on my birthday now," she said Monday.
Dan Shaw, a lecturer of marketing at Dalhousie University, said it's all about getting an edge in a tough industry.
"They're trying to tailor and personalize the service," he said. "It's almost like they have a relationship, almost like they're friends and family and that they're rolling out the red carpet for them on their birthdays."
Shaw said it's hard to say if this will have a long-term effect on loyalty, but he believes it's more effective than small coupons because it's personal.
"Is it super sophisticated? No. But it's a tactic that may work," he said.
But in most cases, free comes with a catch. Many stores require customers to sign up to their mailing lists and give personal information before they get the bargain.
"What you have to do is you have to choose the firms you really have an affinity with, the brands you have an affinity with," said Shaw. "I wouldn't be handing my information out to absolutely every company that comes along."
What can you save?
If you are willing to hand over that information, here's a sample of some of the ways you can save around your big day:
- Dairy Queen: Blizzard Club members receive a coupon for free ice cream.
- Hamachi: Everyone can receive a free giant brownie dessert on their birthday. Sushi lovers who sign up for the restaurant's mailing list receive a $10 coupon for their birthday and another for their anniversary.
- Payless Shoes: People who are part of their free Payless Rewards Club are emailed a 25 per cent off coupon that can be used during the entire month of their birthday, and on top of any sales.
- RW & Co.: The clothing chain sends a 40 per cent off coupon to people on the mailing list.
- Addition-Elle: Members of the free VIP club receive a coupon worth 40 per cent off one item that can be used any time during your birthday month.
- Sephora: The cosmetic store hands out free bags of samples for members of its Beauty Insider program.
- Ricki's: Emails a $10 gift certificate to members of the free Friends and Family rewards club.
- Body Shop: Members of the Love Your Body club receive a $10 gift card.
- Booster Juice: People on their mailing list receive a free smoothie for a birthday boost.
