4 Hidden Discounts That Retailers Don’t Advertise — But You Can Still Get
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Retailers love to push their money-saving sales, but not every discount makes it into the ads. Some deals are hiding in plain sight, while others come from unexpected places like apps or banking platforms. The trick is knowing where to look.
From markdowns on damaged goods to surprise savings through your bank, there are plenty of ways to get a discount that many shoppers don’t even realize exist. Here are four hidden deals retailers won’t tell you about — but you can still get.
Also here are five shopping hacks to save you even more money.
Discounts on Damaged Merchandise
“Your favorite retailer will advertise sales in circulars, promotional emails or on its website, but you can also find deeply discounted merchandise on end caps in some stores,” said Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert at TrueTrae. “The items may be damaged or nearing the best-buy date. These discounts won’t be advertised. Similarly, on some websites, if you look carefully enough, there may be a page for open box or lightly damaged merchandise that will be priced to move.”
Apps That Partner With Grocers To Offer Discounts
“There are apps, like Flashfood, which partner with grocery stores around the country to help them sell through merchandise that is in surplus or nearing its best-buy date,” Bodge explained. “These items can include fresh produce, meats and fish, dairy and baked goods and the savings can be up to 50%. You purchase your items through Flashfood and pick them up at your participating grocery store.”
Coffee Discounts for Supplying Your Own Cup or Mug
Heather Perry, CEO of Klatch Coffee, former president of the Specialty Coffee Association and two-time champion barista, said an often-overlooked discount offered by many coffee shops is for customers who bring their own cup or mug.
“This is a simple, waste-reducing step, but many consumers aren’t aware of this option, since it isn’t often heavily advertised,” she said. “While the savings on a single day might be small, it can add up if you’re a cafe regular (not to mention being a sustainable choice).”
Retailer Discounts Via Consumer Banking Apps
Tom Burgess, president at Snipp Interactive said that consumer banking apps are often overlooked as a source for retailer discounts.
“While shoppers often look to retailer promotions or coupon sites for discounts, many consumer banking applications and web sites have begun leveraging financial media networks to offer consumer packaged goods brand-funded cash-back incentives directly within their digital ecosystems,” he explained.
“These platforms use detailed transaction histories across all retailers where their cardholders shop, enabling more personalized and relevant offers that aren’t typically advertised elsewhere,” he added. “For consumers, this means access to exclusive deals tailored to their spending habits, providing significant savings opportunities beyond traditional channels.”
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