Glossary

By Claudiu MelinteUpdated Jul 25, 202449 min read

Learn the essential terms of the coupon industry with our comprehensive glossary! Get the most used words and phrases to make the most of your coupon experience.

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A

Affiliate Network

An affiliate network serves as an intermediary between publishers and companies, fostering partnerships where publishers can access various affiliate programs. This model relies on a revenue-sharing principle where the publisher promotes products or services and earns a commission.

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Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a strategy where people or businesses earn revenue by promoting another company’s products or services. This model involves three primary players: the merchant (or retailer), the affiliate (or publisher), and the consumer.

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App-Only Deal

An "app-only deal" is a special promotion or discount available only through a company’s mobile application. These deals encourage users to download and engage with the app through unique benefits that can’t be accessed via a website or in-store.

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Automatic Discount

An automatic discount is a discount applied automatically at check-out without the need for the shopper to enter any special codes or coupons. Think of it as an instant discount, bringing immediate savings with minimal effort.

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BOPIS (Buy Online, Pickup in Store)

The Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) business model is an increasingly popular practice among consumers who want to enjoy the convenience of shopping online combined with the immediacy of in-store pick-up.

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Buy More Save More

The "Buy More Save More" strategy is a common retail promotion tactic designed to incentivize customers to purchase larger quantities of a product in exchange for progressive discounts. Retailers often implement this pricing strategy to boost sales volume and clear inventory.

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BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later)

A Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) system is a form of loan provided to customers upon purchase, allowing them to obtain goods without a credit card. Popular platforms offering this service include Shopify’s Shop Pay Installments, Affirm, Afterpay, Sezzle, PayPal and Klarna.

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Birthday Discount

From top beauty brands to popular restaurants, many businesses offer their customers birthday savings to make their day even more special. These offers often include free items, birthday discounts, or unique gifts tailored just for them.

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Black Friday

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and marks the start of the holiday shopping season. It is one of the year’s biggest days, offering great discounts and deals on various products. A frenzy of sales, savings, and buying extravaganzas describes the event best.

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BOGO (Buy One Get One)

This type of sale allows shoppers to purchase one item and get a second item of equal or lesser value for free. This makes it a great way to stock up on supplies or items that you know you will use. Another type of bogo sale is buy one, get one at a discounted price.

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Cashback

Cashback is a type of discount or rebate that customers get when purchasing using a credit card or other form of payment. After the transaction, the customer gets some of the value back in cash. Generally, cashback is offered as a percentage of the purchase price.

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Combo Deal

A combo deal or combination offer is a marketing strategy where customers are incentivized to purchase multiple products or services together. There’s usually a discounted rate compared to buying each item individually.

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Coupon Extension

A coupon extension is a browser add-on that helps customers find and apply discount codes while shopping online. By integrating with online shopping sites, extensions detect potential savings without any manual input from the user. Sometimes, coupons are even added automatically to shopping carts.

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Coupon Stacking

Coupon stacking is a savvy shopping strategy that helps people maximize their savings by combining multiple discounts on a single purchase. It involves using two or more coupons at once, such as a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon, to reduce the final cost of an item.

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Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is an online shopping event in the United States that takes place on the Monday following Thanksgiving. It was first introduced in 2005 as a way for retailers to encourage people to take advantage of various offers.

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Clearance Sale

A clearance sale is a sale of discounted items that a store is trying to get rid of or clear out of its inventory. This may include items that are no longer available or out of season, as well as items that have been overstocked.

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Coupon Code

A coupon code is a combination of letters and numbers that online merchants provide customers as a form of promotion. It is also called a promo code or discount code. When shopping online, you enter this code at checkout, and it activates discounts or offers.

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Coupon Marketing

Coupon marketing is a strategy retailers use to attract customers and increase sales by offering discounts and promotions through coupons. Coupons are physical or digital. Physical coupons are redeemed in-store. Digital ones are redeemed online.

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Coupon QR Code

A coupon QR code is a digital barcode that stores information about discounts, offers, or coupons. Unlike traditional coupons, these are accessible with a simple scan using a smartphone’s QR code reader.

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Doorbuster

Retailers use doorbuster sales as a marketing strategy to attract a large number of customers to their stores when they open. This involves offering one or several items at a discounted price for a limited time.

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Double Coupon

A double coupon refers to a store doubling the value of your coupon. For example, if a coupon gives you $5 off your purchase, the shop’s register or IT systems will automatically double its value and give you a $10 discount.

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Early Pay Discount

An early pay discount is a financial incentive sellers offer to their buyers for paying an invoice before the due date. This strategy encourages quicker payment by reducing the total invoice amount, which appeals to customers looking to save on cost.

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Exclusive Offer

“Exclusive offers” have become more and more common in the world of shopping due to the savings and deals associated with them. As the name suggests, they’re special deals available only to a specific group of customers or under particular conditions.

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Extreme Couponing

Extreme couponing is a practice of using coupons and other deals to get a greater amount of savings, often at an exceptional rate. It requires dedication and commitment to finding coupons, keeping them organized, and ensuring their accuracy.

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Employee Discount

Is a discount offered to employees of a particular organization or business, typically on products and services purchased from the same company. These discounts are usually aimed at reducing the cost of daily goods and services for employees.

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Email Discount

An email discount incentivizes purchases and boosts customer engagement. Email promotions offer a percentage off or a dollar amount discount through email. Companies can entice customers to complete their purchases and increase their overall sales.

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Expired Coupon

A coupon expires the day after the date printed on it has passed. Retailers and manufacturers set these dates to create urgency and control promotional periods. An expired coupon is one that has passed its specified validity date and is no longer accepted by most stores.

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Family and Friends Discount

A family and friends discount is an offer extended to a customer or an employee’s close circle, giving a price reduction on goods or services. This discount is used by businesses to appreciate their shoppers’ family and friends, creating goodwill and strengthening personal connections.

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FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

FOMO, or the fear of missing out, is the anxiety that others are experiencing more enjoyable or rewarding lives. This feeling can arise from seeing friends on social media attending events, taking trips, or achieving milestones, leading one to feel left out.

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Free Sample

Companies offer free samples of their products in order to give customers an opportunity to try the item before committing to a purchase. Typically, these samples are a smaller version of the full product – making it easy for those interested to trial it before they decide to buy.

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Freebie

A freebie is a promotional item or service given without charge. Businesses often use freebies to attract potential customers, increase brand recognition, or promote new products. Receiving freebies is a pleasant surprise, providing customers value without a cost.

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Free Shipping

Free shipping is a delivery service provided by online and brick-and-mortar retailers where customers are not charged an additional fee for shipping and handling. This popular sales strategy aims to attract more shoppers.

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Flash Sale

A flash sale is a promotional event offering limited-time discounts on products or services. It typically lasts for a short period of time, ranging from only a few hours to a few days.

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Free Trial

A free trial is a period of time during which a consumer can use a product or service for free, usually with the option to purchase it at a later date. Free trials are often offered by companies as a way to introduce their products or services to potential customers and to encourage them to buy.

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GWP (Gift with Purchase)

A gift with purchase (GWP) offer is a sales promotion tactic. Businesses provide customers with a free or heavily discounted product when they purchase an item. This incentive typically encourages customers to buy a particular product or spend a certain amount.

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Green Monday

Green Monday is a digital shopping holiday founded by eBay in 2007. It’s traditionally celebrated on the second Monday of December and offers an opportunity to scoop up deals on clothing, jewelry, home items, and consumer electronics.

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Gift Card

A gift card, also known as a gift voucher, is a prepaid stored-value money card, typically issued by a retailer or bank. It can be used as an alternative to cash for purchases within a particular store or related businesses. Gift cards are designed to be used only until the original amount is gone.

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Giveaway

A giveaway is a promotion where companies or individuals give free items to the public. It is a type of contest where participants enter for a chance to win a prize, which can be anything from products to vouchers or special experiences. Giveaway take forms such as sweepstakes, raffles, etc.

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Group Buying

Group buying, also known as collective buying, is a method of purchasing products or services in bulk for a discounted price.

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Grocery Couponing

Grocery couponing is a savings strategy. Many savvy shoppers use grocery coupons to save money when buying food items, beverages, and other products from supermarkets or local stores.

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In-Store Coupon

In-store coupons are promotional tools used by retailers to drive sales. They entice customers to purchase specific products or services within physical store locations.

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Influencer Discount Code

Influencer discount codes are marketing tools brands use to extend their reach and incentivize purchases through influencers’ audiences. These codes are unique to the influencer and offer their followers a special discount on products or services.

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Location-Based Mobile Coupons

Location-based mobile coupons are a targeted marketing strategy that retailers and businesses use to provide discounts and promotions based on a user’s geographic location. These tailored digital coupons are typically distributed to consumers via mobile apps.

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Limited-Time Offer (LTO)

A limited-time offer is a marketing strategy that involves giving customers a deal only available for a short period. The scarcity of time adds an exclusive aspect to the offer, making it more appealing and prompting quicker decision-making from potential buyers.

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Limited Coupon

A limited coupon is a promotional tool businesses use to offer discounts or special deals for a short period. By creating urgency, these coupons encourage customers to make quicker purchasing decisions, effectively driving sales in a brief window of time.

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Loyalty Program

A loyalty program is a marketing strategy businesses use to reward and retain their most dedicated customers. These programs improve customer engagement by offering incentives such as free products, exclusive access, and special deals in return for continued patronage.

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Loyalty Points

Loyalty points are a type of digital currency that businesses offer to customers as part of a loyalty program. These points can be used to pay for goods and services within the brand, or they can be redeemed for rewards that are listed in a rewards catalog.

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Manufacturer Coupon

Manufacturer-issued coupons provide discounts on a specific product when purchased at a store. These coupons are funded by the product’s manufacturer, meaning the store does not lose money when a customer uses one.

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Meal Coupon

A meal coupon, also known as a food voucher or meal voucher, is a prepaid voucher that covers the cost of meals or food items. Food coupons are generally used within establishments or networks to offer a convenient way for people to manage their food expenses without using cash.

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Military Discount

A military discount is a special offer or price reduction that is provided to members of the military, typically active duty or veterans, and sometimes also to their families. This type of discount is a way for businesses to show appreciation for the sacrifices and service of military personnel.

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Money-Back Guarantee

A money-back guarantee is a pledge from a seller to refund a customer if they are unsatisfied with a product or service. Such risk-free purchases are designed to reduce buying hesitation in shoppers and demonstrate the seller’s confidence in their offering.

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Newsletters are a useful tool for businesses to communicate valuable information and updates to their customer base, potential clients, and subscribers. These newsletters enable businesses to connect with their audience, advertise promotions and sales, and direct traffic to their website.

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Price Match

Price matching is a common practice among retailers (especially large-scale and online ones) where they pledge to match a competitor’s lower price on identical items. This assures customers that they are getting the best deal available at the time of purchase.

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Performance Marketing

Performance marketing is a type of advertising where companies pay to get their message out to consumers. The idea behind performance marketing is to reach customers at the exact moment they want to hear from you.

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Product Bundling

Product bundling is a sales strategy where multiple products or services are packaged together and sold for a single price. The approach offers customers combined goods that may be complementary or separate. Retailers aim to enhance purchase value and increase convenience for shoppers.

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Quantity Discount

A quantity discount, or volume discount, is a strategy retailers use to encourage customers to purchase larger amounts of goods (and, less often, services). The idea is to foster customer loyalty by rewarding bulk purchases with a lower price.

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Rebate

Rebates are a type of discount where you get part of the purchase price back after you’ve made the purchase. Rebates are often given for buying certain products in bulk or meeting conditions like a special pricing agreement.

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Referral Code

A referral code is a unique identifier made of a combination of letters or numbers. Customers share it with others to receive rewards for bringing new shoppers to a business. These codes act as a tracking mechanism, linking each referral to the person who initiated it.

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Referral Program

A referral program is a strategy used by businesses to encourage existing customers, employees, or partners to recommend their products or services to others. This is typically done through incentives like discounts, free products, or cash rewards given when the referred person makes a purchase.

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Refurbished

Refurbished products are items that have been previously owned, returned, tested, repaired, and certified by manufacturers or sellers to meet specific quality standards. These products are more affordable than brand-new items, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.

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Sales Tax Holiday

A sales tax holiday is an occasion when certain items are exempt from state sales tax. These holidays help customers purchase desired goods without the extra sales tax cost. This creates financial relief and stimulates economic activity.

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Scalping in Retail

Scalping has become a common term across various shopping domains, especially for those involved in purchasing limited-edition items, event tickets, and in-demand products. Scalpers hoard items in bulk, often after purchasing them using scalper bots. Scalpers then resell at a premium.

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Seasonal Sale

A seasonal sale is a retail approach where stores offer discounts and promotions during specific times of the year. These sales are aligned with various holidays, changing seasons, or special events, allowing customers to purchase goods at lower prices.

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Secret Sale

A secret sale is a marketing strategy where retailers offer many products at significantly reduced prices. Unlike traditional sales, though, these events are not widely advertised. They are typically exclusive, and often require an invitation or membership to participate.

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Student Discount

A student discount is a special offer provided to people enrolled as full-time or part-time students in an educational institution. These discounts make various products and services more affordable for the student demographic since they often face financial constraints pursuing higher education.

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Super Saturday

Super Saturday is a major event in the holiday shopping season. It is the last Saturday before Christmas, a key time for last-minute shoppers and a critical revenue day for retailers. This day marks the final opportunity for many to pick up gifts and holiday necessities.

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Single-Use Coupon

A single-use coupon is a promotional tool employed by retailers and manufacturers to provide a discount or offer that can be applied only once by a customer. These coupons are typically unique in their code sequence. After use, they are no longer valid.

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Senior Discount

A senior discount is a special pricing or incentive offered to individuals who are considered to be seniors, typically those who are aged 55 or older. The purpose of senior discounts is to provide older adults with a way to save money on goods and services.

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Store Credit

Store credit is a type of credit offered by retailers that allows customers to purchase items from their store using credit instead of cash. It is usually given in the form of a gift card, which can be used for multiple purchases until the balance is depleted

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Shopping Holiday

Shopping holidays have become a significant part of retail culture in the United States and worldwide. They’re a day or period recognized for special promotions and significant discounts within the retail sector.

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SMS Coupon Code

A SMS coupon code is a unique code sent to your phone via text message that you can use to get discounts or offers on products and services.

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Shopping Cart Abandonment

When a customer starts to check out on an online purchase but does not finish it, this is called shopping cart abandonment. Anything that goes into the cart and isn’t bought is regarded as having been abandoned by the customer.

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Subscription Box Deal

Subscription box deals offer a range of specially curated products delivered to customers at regular intervals, usually monthly. These boxes cater to a variety of interests and preferences, providing a convenient way for shoppers to discover new products and brands.

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Teacher Discount

A teacher discount is a special price reduction businesses offer to educators at all levels, from kindergarten to college. Both active and retired teachers can benefit from such discounts, which extend to many products, services, and memberships.

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Thrift Store

Thrift stores are retail outlets that sell second-hand or lightly used goods, often at discounted prices. These stores feature various items, from clothing and furniture to electronics and books. Thrift stores differ from other retail shops in that they often rely on donations from the community.

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Trade-in Deal

A trade-in deal is an exchange of a product you own for credit that can be applied toward purchasing a new item. You can exchange vehicles, smartphones, gaming consoles, laptops, TVs, fridges, ovens, or other electronic devices.

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Try before You Buy

The "try before you buy" (TBYB) concept allows customers to test products before purchasing. It is becoming increasingly widespread in many industries. Its application can vary depending on the type of product or service, and the business in question.

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Unique Coupon Code

A unique coupon code is a specialized alphanumeric sequence provided to individual customers, creating a one-time use for a specific discount or promotional offer. Unlike general coupon codes, custom coupon codes are made for single use. This minimizes the risk of abuse or unauthorized sharing.

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Vanity Coupon Code

A vanity coupon code is a promotional tool used by companies to offer customers discounts or benefits when purchasing products or services. Unlike generic codes, vanity codes are custom-created by brands to be memorable and reflect the brand’s identity.

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Verified Coupon

A verified coupon refers to a promotional code or discount voucher that has been confirmed as valid and authentic by the issuing store or website. A third-party service specializing in testing and validating coupons can also validate coupon authenticity.

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Voucher

A voucher is a document, token, or electronic code. It gives the holder access to a discount, special deal, or a specific product or service. Often used as a marketing strategy, vouchers help boost sales, attract new customers, and retain existing ones.

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Wave Season

Wave Season is the perfect time to book the cruise you’ve been dreaming about. From January to March (typically), cruise lines make various special deals available. This effort is to get ships filled in advance for the rest of the year.

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Wholesale Discount

A wholesale discount is a type of deal or price reduction offered to customers when they purchase goods in bulk. Wholesale discounts are usually calculated as a percentage of the original list price of each product and are most often seen with items like food, clothing, electronics and other goods.

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White Sales

White sales are a seasonal opportunity to refresh your home linens and bedding at a lower cost. Usually held in January, white sales let you capitalize on deep discounts on items like sheets, towels, and other household textiles.

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