What is better than getting free stuff? It’s getting free stuff on your birthday! Many teens take advantage of these deals during their birthday month and even on their actual birthday.
“I always love getting the free drink from Starbucks and a little ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery,” said Petaluma resident Tiree Hansen.
Popular stores like Sephora and Baskin-Robbins are well known for their birthday freebies and favorites among teens.
Nothing Bundt Cakes gives an individual bundtlet for birthdays, which can be requested up to a week in advance. Ulta Beauty has a $10 gift card for members’ birthdays. Krispy Kreme also has a birthday deal of one free glazed doughnut for members.
“After seeing an ad online, I went to Krispy Kreme to get the donut for my birthday. I think that it was a great deal,” said Carlmont sophomore Jordan Davis.
Typically, customers who take advantage of birthday deals have previously shopped or are familiar with the brand.
“When I get freebies, I want them from food companies or stores that I already know because you normally have to have an account with them,” Hansen said.
Most of the people who are getting the freebies are already customers, so they have a high likelihood of buying something else while in the store and returning. According to retail studies like the 2021 report from McKinsey & Company, birthday promotions are part of personalized marketing and loyalty programs, which can increase purchase rates by 20-30% compared to standard promotions. When polled, 80% of loyal customers said they would return because of the birthday deal.
“It depends on how much I liked the free product; if I thoroughly enjoyed it, I would most likely come back. It is a smart strategy because it attracts more customers and allows them to try your product, resulting in more customers returning,” said sophomore Kgomotso Tarugarira.
By adding to people’s birthday celebrations with a freebie, companies get a chance to show their values and build goodwill. They are not likely to lose money on these promotions because of the additional purchases that most people will make in the stores while obtaining the gift and on their next visits.
“They remind me to return to the business, and they add to the reputation of the company, which makes me go back,” said Notre Dame freshman Emily Milotich.
Having these birthday deals may not be essential for the store or brand, but it helps them to connect with their customers.
“I like the birthday deals because they allow me to try new products at new and old places that I normally wouldn’t be able to,” Milotich said.
