6 Ways to Boost Sales with Instant Redeemable Coupon (IRC) Labels

Coupons no longer find their only audience through the Sunday paper. They’ve evolved into scannable savings coupons online and ready-to-use instant redeemable coupons – IRCs– attached to favorite products. And when it comes to influencing shopper behavior, instant redeemable and on-pack methods lead the way by a significant margin. In fact, according to Inmar, a coupon redemption firm, IRC labels have an index four times the value of internet print-at-home or electronic shelf coupons.

IRC labels provide a truly unique opportunity to connect with your customers and drive sales. On-pack promotions build loyalty with special incentives that attract customers at the point of purchase, generate repeat purchasing, encourage brand switching and new users, and push cross-branding. A well-designed IRC label draws attention to your brand as shoppers look for deals they can use on the spot.

What are Instant Redeemable Coupons?

IRCs provide additional savings and redemptions at the point of sale. An adhesive-backed liner affixes your promotional offer to your package. A fixed clean tab makes removal simple and convenient while also not leaving behind residue on the coupon.

All layers of the coupon can be printed with full-color images, text or variable data, which means that you can offer consumers promotions, contests, and special deals right at the shelf. The most common variations of IRCs include:

  • Peel and scan coupons
  • Point of purchase coupons
  • Mail-in rebates
  • QR codes for special campaigns

Whether you’re searching for ways to boost sales or increase traffic and engagement with your loyalty rewards program, a promotional offer will have the greatest impact right on your product label.

How Instant Redeemable Coupons Drive Sales

IRCs put brands front-and-center when and where it matters most—at the shelf and at the point of sale. Here’s a look at how IRCs drive purchases right at the shelf.

  1. Boost Impulse Purchases with Cost-Savings

Studies show that 70% of purchase decisions are made in store.IRC labels can help trigger that impulse. The arresting visual of an add-on coupon or mini-booklet affixed to your product captures attention and, often, captures the sale.

  1. Encourage Larger Purchases

Coupons cause consumers to buy more than they otherwise would in a given time period, especially BOGO (Buy One, Get One) coupons. But don’t limit BOGO by strict definition. Variations include “Buy Three, Get One Free,” “33% OFF When You Buy Three,” or “Buy 2, Save $1.00.”

  1. Promote Cross-Branding Offers

IRCs can be used to partner and promote several product brands at the same time. One way is to offer discounts to buyers who purchase one item belonging to each of the featured brands. The other option is to offer a discount on one brand for the purchase of an item belonging to another brand.

  1. Incentivize Product Trials and New Products

Instant redeemable coupons work for both new and established products. Applying an on-pack offer can encourage people to try your product for the first time – “Save $2 When You Buy [Product] With This Item.” You can offer anything from an instant discount to a mail-in offer for a gift card or rebate. Ultimately, you’re encouraging consumers to grab your product instead of the one next to it on the shelf.

  1. Drive Traffic to Loyalty Rewards Programs

With the ability to use variable printing for quick-response (QR) codes, you can drive traffic to nearly any promotional campaign. One popular use is to connect shoppers to a loyalty rewards program in order to drive customer loyalty and future purchasing. Unlike check-ins on Facebook or Foursquare, customers must make a purchase to get access to the QR code on the coupon.

  1. Increase Sales with Mail-In Rebates

Embedding mail-in rebates within your IRC label is one of the more effective tools to drive sales. Rebates offer the benefit of giving customers a temporary discount on a product to stimulate sales while allowing it to maintain its current price point. You can also collect consumer information as per the rebate requirements to inform future promotions.

Find a Printer with IRC Label Experience

No coupons “move product” like IRC labels. With our national reach and full-scale printing capabilities, our team at Labels & Specialty Products can maximize the impact of your coupon and help increase your sales. Our experience includes meeting regulatory and retailer requirements, while ensuring that coupon codes are scannable and correctly formatted for retailers. Contact our experts today to discuss your next project.