“Download their app. You can find members-only coupons and offers and earn points toward free products or additional discounts,” said Trae Bodge, a shopping expert at TrueTrae.com in Montclair, New Jersey.
“For example, the Dollar General app, named DG GO!, has digital coupons, a shopping list, a cart calculator, and more money-saving features,” said Bodge.
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Another way to secure deals is to sign up for store newsletters or text alerts, which may yield new subscriber coupons.
Exclusive coupons and early access to sales are also possible, said Woroch.
Some retailers have apps that make shopping on a phone – and saving – very convenient for consumers. (iStock / iStock)
Even easier is a quick Google search. Enter the name of the retailer, plus the promo code or coupon code. Free shipping codes or percentages off the purchase may pop up.
Some retailers have apps that make shopping on a phone – and saving – very convenient.
“Amazon is an excellent example of this,” Bodge said.
“Despite having millions of items available, the Amazon app is very easy to navigate, search and use available coupons.”
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Consumers can even earn rewards for purchases made through websites.
“There’s also Ibotta — and with this app, you select offers before you shop, then scan your receipt after you shop to earn rewards,” said Bodge.
Scan, baby, scan
Vipin Porwal, a consumer expert in Los Angeles and CEO at Smarty, told FOX Business that retailers have seen an upsurge in the scanning of QR codes.
Some retailers are offering QR codes and coupons to be used in-store. (iStock / iStock)
“This is primarily because nearly all of their customers have a smartphone with them at all times and they’re comfortable using apps to shop on their smartphones,” he said.
To that end, he noted that most shopping and finance apps have code scanners to make it very easy.
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“Often the call to action to scan the code offers a discount for consumers that’s automatically applied to their purchase,” Porwal said.
By scanning both product barcodes and QR codes, consumers can find savings on just about everything from groceries and fast food to utilities, insurance and big-box deals, Porwal said.
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Shoppers do need to be cautious, however, when scanning unknown codes, due to potential scams and malware.
“Note that the FTC offers information on fake QR codes that might be worth a quick check if shoppers are uncertain,” he said.
