Online Shops Issue More Voucher Codes To Boost Falling Sales by Art Penz

Companies are collapsing left, right and center due to the tough economic climate. People are buying less, not necessarily because they have less money, but because of the uncertainty surrounding their jobs and their mortgage for example. This has led us to a time when there seems to be a permanent sale sign on the front of every shop or website that we go to buy from, as shops desperately try to compete for the customers that are still buying. This competition has led to retailers, particularly online retailers, releasing an increased number of discount codes as they try to entice customers. Research carried out by one top voucher code company found an increase of nearly 65% in the number of discount codes released by companies this year in comparison to last year. This shows a real effort by the companies to try and grab customers from their competitors. It also shows a shift in advertising techniques by these retailers as the realize that one of the best and most cost efficient forms of advertising is to offer customers discount codes and incentives to buy rather than spending huge sums on indirect advertising in the press that yes a few people may see and buy but there will be a whole lot of people who don't even notice the advert. The increase in the use of discount codes and coupon codes like free shipping etc. just further highlights the importance of online shopping. The continual growth in online sales in comparison to high street sales has begun to be noticed by the retailers who deal online and now more actively promoting that side of their business which many at one time would have seen as only an add on, in fact it is now much more of a key aspect than many would have ever thought. The realization by the retailers that to get customers to buy from you then you offer them direct savings and deals is one aspect of the trend we are seeing but the other aspect is the demand from customers. Customers in the UK are now shopping around more than they ever did before. A large part of this again comes back to the internet and the ability to check with a few clicks how goods are priced at dozens of stores online so that you can get the very best deal. The other aspect is that shoppers in the UK are fed up of getting ripped off by many of the top companies that charge more for good here than they do elsewhere. The difference between prices here and the US are not exactly level but the gap is less as UK shoppers become more money conscious and demand discounts. There is no doubt that we are racing towards a time when we will literally be able to buy everything online and we will never need to enter a shop again. We already can buy just about anything online with even grocery shopping now possible and this will only become more popular. The increase in the distribution of discount codes by retailers highlights a clear shift in the future of retailers. No longer can shops depend on a loyal customer base, everyone's loyalty is for sale now to the lowest price, the biggest discount or the most attractive offer. Retailers have had to realize that they need to compete again and that people are not just going to come to them. The retailers that survive the current financial difficulty are the ones that understand the changing attitudes of British consumers and the need to be seen to be offering more than anyone else.