Customer Experience: Giveaways top in store promotions

This past week there has been quite a bit of news of business “giveaways” as in store promotions. Let’s do the rundown:

The State Journal reports, Cupp’s Furniture in West Virginia is giving away $500 grocery certificates with qualifying purchases.

Denny’s offers free breakfast as a Super Bowl promotion.

Save-A-Lot grocery chain gives away 4,000 bags of free groceries.

A gaining number of businesses are heading towards the giveaway trend. In the short run it costs the companies money but certainly grabs the attention of consumers. Long run goals is for consumers to have a strong enough positive experience that will entice them to come back again.

Do you think the giveaway promotions will help the retailer’s sales? Will it be enough to gain repeat consumers after one experience?