With ongoing inflation and changing consumer habits, more shoppers are turning to discount retailers than ever before. Recent surveys from 2024 highlight a notable shift, with nearly 60% of consumers now identifying as “deal-driven,” actively seeking the best prices across multiple stores. This expanding group of bargain hunters isn’t just after low prices; they’re also seeking an experience.
As e-commerce continues to grow, clever discount shoppers know that the real excitement happens on the store floor. The “treasure hunt” effect is a strong motivator. For discount retailers, knowing how to stage this experience—to generate a sense of drama and satisfaction—is crucial for building long-lasting customer loyalty.
Here are six essential elements for creating a discount retail experience that wins over modern shoppers.
1. The Thrill of the Hunt
For many, discount shopping is more than a necessity; it’s a sport. These shoppers enjoy the challenge of stretching their dollars and take pride in finding the best deals. They are methodical, often visiting multiple stores each week, sharing their finds on social media, and building communities centered on saving money. Tik Toks “What’s Next 2025” trend report highlighted the rise of “deal influencers”, where users share their weekly hauls from stores like Aldi and Dollar General, turning savings into engaging content.
2. Setting the Stage for Savings
Discount shoppers are pragmatic. They understand that lower operating costs, like reduced labor for stocking shelves, translate into better prices for them. The store environment should reflect this “no-frills” philosophy. Instead of perfectly organized aisles, a successful discount store creates a visual spectacle of value.
Think walls of savings, massive product displays, and multiple pallet drops in wide aisles. Utilizing dump bins and cut cases allows customers to serve themselves, which not only reduces restocking labor but also contributes to the “treasure hunt” atmosphere.
However, “low-cost” should never mean “neglected.” A clean, well-lit, and organized store is crucial. A dirty or cluttered environment can signal disrespect to your customers and undermine their trust in your brand. Operational excellence in cleanliness and safety should remain a top priority.
3. The Power of Bold Pricing
In a discount environment, price is the star of the show. Your signage strategy should ensure that prices are the first thing customers see. Use a bright, simple color palette that makes pricing information pop. Large, clear price signs should be visible from 40 or 50 feet away, creating a visual promise of a bargain hunter’s paradise.
Simplify the message. Grouping similarly priced items on an endcap with a single, bold price sign (e.g., “Everything Here $5”) can be incredibly effective. To improve visibility down long, wide aisles, use signage tools that allow for staggered heights, ensuring no deal goes unnoticed. When you have a product at a fantastic price, display it with confidence and make it impossible for a customer to miss.
4. Immediate Gratification Wins
The dedicated discount shopper values immediate savings over long-term rewards. While points programs and personalized offers appeal to many, this consumer is focused on winning the “game” of shopping each week. The satisfaction comes from seeing the total on their receipt shrink right now.
This is why simple, direct discounts are so powerful. The rise of digital coupons clipped directly in a store’s app, as seen with chains like Kroger and its affiliates in 2024, caters to this need for instant gratification. The savings are applied automatically at checkout, providing a clear and immediate benefit without the complexity of points accumulation. The best loyalty strategy for this audience is to deliver undeniable value on every visit consistently.
5. Variety Is the Spice of Deals
A great bargain can take many forms, and the discount shopper is open to them all. Retailers can create excitement and urgency through various promotional tactics.
Limited-Time Offers: Weekend specials or “doorbuster” deals with limited quantities can draw huge crowds. If there’s a reasonable chance of success (i.e., the stock lasts more than just a few minutes), shoppers enjoy the challenge. The 2024 launch of a limited-edition Stanley tumbler at Target, which caused massive lines, is a prime example of this principle in action.
Bundles and BOGOs: Bundle offers that provide clear, significant savings are highly effective. A classic “Buy One, Get One Free” (BOGO) is easy to understand and always a winner. For other bundles, such as purchasing a larger volume, the total savings should be at least 20% to feel substantial and worthwhile.
New Product Launches: Exclusive or early access to new products at a special introductory price can turn a regular shopping trip into an event, attracting dedicated fans and creating buzz.
6. Price Matching with Pride
Price matching is a powerful way to build a reputation for unbeatable prices, but it is often seen as a hassle for customers. Making shoppers find proof of a competitor’s price and then wait in a special line can cause frustration for everyone involved.
Leading discount retailers are reevaluating this process. A strong price-matching policy should be a fundamental part of your brand promise, not an inconvenience at checkout. Are your staff trained to handle price challenges efficiently and respectfully? Are there clear communication channels to verify prices quickly?
By embracing price matching, you attract your most price-sensitive—and often most loyal—customers. A 2025 initiative by Best Buy, for example, uses in-app barcode scanning to instantly verify and match competitor prices, turning a potential point of friction into a smooth part of the shopping experience. Treat pricematchers as the valuable assets they are; they serve as your frontline market researchers.
By focusing on these six areas, you can transform your discount retail space from a simple store into an exciting stage for savings. Creating that drama and rewarding the hunt will keep customers coming back for the best show in town.