• A product is sold at less than its regular / full price, often via a sale, coupon, promotion, clearance or other markdown.

  • The discount may be expressed in terms like “20% off,” “half-price,” “clearance,” “buy one get one,” or “limited time offer.”

  • The intent is to give the shopper a savings opportunity while the retailer still sells the item (often to clear inventory, attract customers, etc).

🔍 Key features & what to look out for

Here are things to watch when you see a “discount shopping deal”:

  • Original price vs discounted price: Is the “discounted” price really lower than what the item typically goes for?

  • Limited time or quantity: Many deals are only valid for a short period or while supplies last (see the concept of a “doorbuster” deal). Wikipedia+1

  • Conditions apply: Sometimes the discount is only with a coupon code, membership, or minimum purchase.

  • Return / exchange policy: Discounted items may have different rules.

  • Legitimacy: Ensure the retailer is trusted and the deal isn’t misleading (e.g., inflated “original” price).

  • Compare elsewhere: Just because something is on “sale” doesn’t guarantee it’s the best deal — checking other retailers helps.

🛒 Why retailers offer discount shopping deals

Retailers use discounts for several reasons:

  • To clear out older inventory, seasonal items, or overstock.

  • To drive traffic (both online and in-store) by creating attractive deals.

  • To reward loyal customers or attract new ones (via loyalty programs or first-time buyer discounts).

  • To compete with other retailers & keep their pricing competitive.