Have you ever walked into a store just to “browse” or to kill time, and walked out with a blender, three candles, and a welcome mat that you don’t really need just because it was 40% off today only?
Well, we’ve all fallen for such a trap, and promotions can sometimes feel addictive to a point where we purchase things that we don’t really need. That’s the magic (and madness) of retail promotions, which is a game as unpredictable as roulette.
Retailers love to throw deals at us, and in most cases, they are limited time offers just to narrow down the gap that won’t allow you to logically think whether or not you actually need that product.
The same thing goes for retailers. They want to boost their revenue, but sometimes promotions can destroy brands.
Yes, some promotions drive real value, but others don’t always pay off. That’s why the retail promotion game reminds us of roulette.
Let’s explore how promotions can backfire and figure out when it is the right time to spin the wheel.
Playing With Fire (Or 40% Off Everything)
Promotions might feel like harmless marketing, but they are often a bandage over deeper issues. Products don’t sell really well? Slap a promotion. Numbers are low? Slap a promotion. New competitor? The same deal.
Yes, you keep your revenue up, and sales are coming in, but it is a short-term tactic. Over time, customers learn to never buy at full price again, especially if you are handing over promotions frequently.
You’ve seen it. You are it. (No judgment—we’ve all waited for that extra 10% off.)
The real problem comes when you condition your target audience to expect discounts, which at that point, is almost impossible to walk back. So, promotions aren’t really good if you want to build a solid brand with a loyal fan base.
The Real Cost of “Deals”
Retail promotions work for the same reason people are drawn to slot machines and high-stakes poker tables—it’s the psychology of risk and reward. That little rush you feel when you land a 50% off deal isn’t much different from the excitement of placing a bet on a longshot. It’s why platforms like bettingsitesnotongamstop.com are gaining popularity—they tap into that same sense of adrenaline and urgency that drives people to act fast, think less, and chase the win.
Let’s say a small business sells hoodies for $60. They run a “one-time 40% off” promo to boost sales and move inventory. It works—orders fly in. But now everyone who bought one tells their friends, “Don’t buy at full price. They’ll drop it again.” And just like that, the $60 hoodie is unofficially worth $36. Every future promo? It needs to be even better. And eventually, you’re not making any profit—you’re just moving product to stay afloat.
It’s not just small businesses either. Major retailers like JCPenney learned this lesson the hard way. When they tried to eliminate promotions entirely and switch to “everyday low prices,” customers revolted. Turns out, we’re addicted to the thrill of the deal—even when it’s the same price dressed in different clothes.
When Promotions Work (And When They Don’t)
Promotions can be brilliant when done right. Launching a new product? Offering an exclusive discount to early buyers builds excitement. Want to clear seasonal stock? Smart markdowns keep the shelves clean without damaging your brand.
But promos turn risky when they:
- Lack a clear goal (“Let’s just run something”)
- Become too frequent (“Every weekend sale!”)
- Devalue premium products (“Luxury, but on clearance every 2 weeks?”)
- Train customer behavior (“I’ll wait for the next code”)
This isn’t just theory—brands like GAP, Banana Republic, and Old Navy have struggled with this for years. They run promotions so constantly that customers don’t trust full-price tags anymore. The “sale” becomes the normal, and the brand? Just noise.
Consumers Aren’t Off the Hook Either
We love the game, but we’re often blind to how it plays us.
Think about how many times you’ve bought something just because it was on sale. Did you really need that third waffle maker? Or were you just seduced by a 70% markdown and the words “final hours”?
Retail promotions work because we’re emotional buyers. Logic leaves the room the moment scarcity and urgency walk in.
What Happens When It All Goes Bust
A brand that over-relies on promos slowly erodes its own identity. It loses the ability to command loyalty, trust, and—most critically—margin. And eventually, it ends up trapped in a cycle of deeper and deeper discounts just to stay relevant.
Customers get skeptical. Margins vanish. Brand equity takes a nosedive.
That’s when retail roulette becomes retail Russian roulette.
So, What’s the Smarter Bet?
The strongest brands today don’t constantly discount—they build value. They tell stories, focus on quality, and create experiences that make customers want to pay full price. Apple doesn’t run 20% off sales. Patagonia rarely discounts, but people still line up.
It’s not about never running promos. It’s about using them with purpose. Like blackjack or poker, promotions should be played strategically, not emotionally.
So, promotions can be good or bad for both businesses and customers. We, as customers, often buy unnecessary things, and businesses lose money and destroy their image. Therefore, using promotions the right way is very important.
