Modernizing the classic ‘buy one, get one free’ deal

The ‘buy one, get one free’ deal (abbreviated as BOGO or BOGOF) is one of the world’s oldest promotional techniques. It’s simple, effective, and popular. But, for many businesses, the standard BOGO format isn’t exciting or enticing enough. Firms need a twist to stand out in the modern business landscape, where increasingly businesses are gamifying their promotions.

In this article, we'll explore:

The earliest reference to ‘buy one, get one free’ is from 1721, when Richard Bradley’s book ‘A Philosophical Account of the Works of Nature’ was offered under a buy seven, get one free deal.

The BOGO deal as we know it first reached mainstream popularity in the 20th century, with widespread attention brought to the concept when Procter & Gamble began issuing metal coins in 1920, which could be redeemed for discounts or buy-one-get-one-free deals

Traditionally, BOGO deals are most commonly applied to food products and other low-value consumer goods in supermarkets. These low-cost items have a low threshold in terms of purchase intent, and the offer of ‘free’ can wildly shift customers’ perspectives. 

They’ve also seen use in other consumer environments. At one point, General Motors dealerships ran a BOGO deal on cars. Customers could get a free Chevrolet Aveo when they bought a Chevrolet Tahoe, Trailblazer, or Suburban. Florida’s Senate even passed legislation to offer BOGO on STEM courses for university students.

However, the BOGO promotion in its standard format can be a bit underwhelming.

The clever trick behind the ‘buy one, get one free’ deal is the fact that the customer never really gets the second item for ‘free’.

Businesses change the prices of their products regularly, and most increase the price of products before they introduce a promotion. This means customers often pay more than the normal full price of one product under a BOGO deal. 

BOGO deals can also lessen the perceived value of a product in the consumer’s eyes. Generally, the higher the value of the product, the less suitable it is for a BOGO deal.

To capitalize on the tried-and-tested BOGO format, businesses should consider putting a modern spin on it to make it more appealing.

Ultimately, the underlying concept behind all of these promotions is: Buy X, get Y in return. You can swap X for any product or combination of products, and swap Y for any combination of products or another incentive (discount, coupon, etc.).

This example could help airlines attract customers with the promise of cheaper car hire. Instead of offering a discount on tickets, the airline would offer them at full price. They would then refer customers to an affiliate car hire company at their destination.

This BOGO-style promotion is aimed at customer retention and increasing average order value. Because it includes a delayed incentive (i.e. the coupon has to be used on their next purchase), customers are much more likely to revisit the store to claim it.

Delayed incentives are effective at encouraging repeat purchase behavior. The customer still gets their free product/discount, but it’s not available immediately.

The promotion examples above work best if they’re personalized by business and customer segment. Personalization resonates with customers because they get better, more rewarding deals.

But it’s no longer an unusual or industry-leading technique. Personalization has become the norm across many B2C sectors. A survey conducted by IDC Retail Insights revealed that the majority of retailers in France, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the US view personalization as an essential practice.

Shoppers love personalization because they get more relevant deals and rewards. According to Marketo, 79% of consumers say they’re only likely to engage with a brand’s promotions if they’ve been personalized around previous interactions.

Alongside personalization, businesses should consider things like best-selling products, promotions and offers being run by competitors, seasonal trends, etc., when planning promotions.

Best-selling or signature products are often a huge draw for customers. A promotional campaign that offers customers a better deal on a best-selling product can be a great inroad to additional sales.  

Seasonal events are a huge driver of consumer activity. The last three months of the year account for almost 40% of all online sales. This makes them prime time for seasonal marketing (Halloween, Black Friday, Christmas).

Running similar promotions at the same time as competitors reduces your chances of winning customers. Offer unique deals that will persuade your customers to shop with you instead of rival brands.

Offering customers a choice in a promotion is a great way to cover different customer bases and segments. If, for example, you run a promotion offering a free product when customers buy two of product X, you could offer a selection of three different products as the free item.

Alternatively, if a business has a new product that they want customers to try, they could offer it as a free item in a BOGO-style promotion. Creativity is key if you’re trying to reinvent the BOGO deal, so don’t be afraid to try something different. Chances are your customers will respond well if you’ve thought your promotion through.

1. Are there specific industries or products that frequently offer buy one get one free deals?

Industries such as retail, food and beverage, and cosmetics frequently offer buy one get one free deals to reward customer actions. These promotions are commonly seen in supermarkets, restaurants, and online stores.

2. How do businesses ensure transparency and fairness in BOGO promotions, particularly regarding pricing adjustments and perceived value?

Businesses ensure transparency and fairness in BOGO promotions by carefully managing pricing adjustments and communicating clearly with customers. They often provide transparent pricing information, avoid deceptive practices, and focus on delivering genuine value to customers to maintain trust and loyalty.

3. In what ways can businesses effectively personalize BOGO promotions to cater to different customer segments? 

Businesses personalize BOGO promotions by analyzing customer data, preferences, and purchase history to tailor offers to different segments. This could involve offering BOGO deals on popular or complementary products, adjusting promotions based on seasonal trends, and providing targeted incentives to specific customer groups. To achieve this, businesses need to work with a flexible Promotion Engine.