Coupons: The Great Equalizer
by Mike KrumboltzJun 11, 2008
In this time of a weakened economy, increased layoffs, and soaring gas prices, concerned folks are looking for new ways to cut costs. Ironically, one of the "new" methods is actually one of the oldest tricks in the book—coupons.
Searches for coupons spiked an astounding 1,840% this past Sunday, far above the typical weekend surge. Clearly folks want to save money on anything and everything. A look at the top coupon searches reveals that restaurants draw the most lookups, but clothes and electronics retailers are also top-of-mind.
And, speaking of electronics, Wal-Mart's Blu-Ray promotion is causing ripples in the Buzz. The mega retailer is issuing a $100 gift card with any Blu-Ray DVD player, including the PlayStation 3. The Dallas Morning News explains that the deal is one way for Wal-Mart to attract coveted "high-definition shoppers," though we assume the significantly less coveted freebee-seeking demographic will pay the closest attention.
Below, we rank the retailers with the most coupon searches from the past week. Pizza Hut takes the top spot, while Bed, Bath, and Beyond, a store that's been known to bury unsuspecting consumers with avalanches of direct mail, comes in a strong fourth.