Retail

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Staples Retreats on Free Shipping Threshold Increase

Back in May we reported that Staples inconspicuously raised the minimum order size to over $75 in order to qualify for free shipping.

In the second week of August, barely three months later, the company did an about-face, just as inconspciously:

*MOUSE PRINT:

The new trigger point to get free shipping is for orders over $45, and that is even $5 lower than their original “over $50” order rule.

So why did Staples abandon the $75 order minimum to qualify for free shipping:

“After hearing customer feedback, we decided that the $45 level is best for our customers looking for fast and free delivery.” –Staples spokesperson.

MrConsumer suspects the $75 minimum to qualify for free shipping must have really negatively affected sales considering the other two office superstores kept their free shipping offer at orders of $50 or more.

Thanks to Clarence C’s eagle eyes for spotting this change.

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Extreme Couponing Backlash: Manufacturers, Stores Limit Coupon Use

If you have ever watched “Extreme Couponing” on TV, you know that shoppers on the program demonstrate how they received hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of merchandise for only a few dollars (if that) by using coupons. They will buy dozens of the same item, using dozens of identical high value coupons (often doubled in value by the store) to accomplish this feat.

Now some manufacturers and retailers are fighting back. Look what P&G is now printing on its manufacturers coupons.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Here the manufacturer is imposing a limit of four identical coupons that can be used when buying the same product. But now some retailers are getting in on the action too.

*MOUSE PRINT:

“Rite Aid may accept up to 4 identical coupons for the same number of qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers within the store manager’s sole discretion.” – Rite Aid Coupon Acceptance Policy, May 2011

“You may double a maximum of 4 identical manufacturers’ coupons. For example: if a customer purchased five boxes of Cheerios and presented 5 manufacturers’ coupons for 50¢, the first four coupons would be doubled to $1. The fifth coupon would only be redeemed for 50¢. Up to an additional 12 identical manufacturers’ coupons/items will be redeemed at face value for a total of 16 identical manufacturers’ coupons.” — Stop & Shop and Giant coupon acceptance policy.

If these practices are actually enforced, and other companies jump on the bandwagon, extreme couponing may become a thing of the past.

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Bucking the Trend, This Company Upsized its Products

Since Mouse Print* began in 2006, we have featured product after product that has been downsized. Manufacturers remove an ounce here and there, and for paper products, they shave off fractions of an inch in width or length, or reduce the number of sheets provided.

Now comes Ken’s Steak House salad dressing. Looking at the picture on the left, the bottle on the left appears bigger than the one on the right, and one might conclude that they too have just downsized. Surprise, the opposite is true.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Ken’s actually added an ounce of dressing to their traditional eight ounce bottle when they made the switch from glass to plastic bottles. This was a deliberate move by this family-run company to buck the downsizing trend.

Too bad they missed the opportunity to tout the fact on the bottle that they are now giving the consumer more at the same old price. (They had limited space, and couldn’t figure out how to best communicate that fact according to a spokesperson for the company.) In the comments below, feel free to offer your suggestions.