To spur consumer spending in time of economic uncertainty, 16 retailers yesterday joined hands to launch a coupon booklet with dining, travel and shopping deals.
“In view of the economic sentiment, it would be better for us to combine forces instead of just reaching out to consumers individually,” said Henry Kao (高敏航), president of President Drugstore Business Corp (統一生活事業), which owns Cosmed (康是美).
Cosmed, the nation’s second-largest cosmetics and drugstore chain, is joining peers including electronics stores, beauty salons and food and beverage outlets to launch the “Fun Go” (粉樂購) coupon booklet.
Partners include Mos Burger (摩斯漢堡), Shui-Mu International Co (阿瘦實業), Mister Donut, Pizza Hut, Blockbuster Inc Taiwan (百視達), Working House (生活工場) and www.books.com.tw (博客來網路書店), among others.
“Consumers are still spending, but they are only willing to make purchases at the right time, such as anniversary sales,” Kao told reporters on the sidelines of a press conference yesterday.
With the Fun Go coupons, consumers can receive discounts or value buys from today to the end of December, with promotion periods depending on retailers’ discretion. Consumers who spend a certain amount at the retailer can get the coupon booklet for free.
This is not the first time these companies have launched such a promotion to drive sales. The number of partners expanded from five retailers with a total of 800 outlets nationwide last year, to 16 retailers with nearly 2,000 outlets this year.
The marketing strategy seems viable as Cosmed enjoyed a 10 percent jump in visitor traffic and 20 percent revenue growth from previous promotions.
Another retailer, Shui-Mu — which sells the popular made-in-Taiwan footwear brand ASO — said it sees momentum in fourth-quarter sales, thanks to growing brand awareness and promotion campaigns such as Fun Go.
“To us, we don’t take the economic downturn as a reason for sluggish business; every company has to find a way to beat the downturn,” said Jason Fang (方興國), the company’s marketing manager.
Lion Travel Service Co (雄獅旅行社) is also hoping to cash in on the possible spending spree in the fourth quarter, a traditional travel period.
“We are upbeat on the fourth-quarter business. People may have put their travel plans on hold since the outbreak of the economic crisis last year. And now, it’s time to travel,” said Stephanie Chen (陳美華), public relations manager of Lion Travel.
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