Manufacturer FAQs
Which coupons have the highest redemption rate?
Our Analytical Services group provides analysis regarding distribution and
redemption trends. Annually, we publish Worldwide Coupon Distribution and
Redemption Trends, a study that includes information regarding average
redemption rates by media and category. We can provide you with this study to
assist in your review of redemption rates. Custom studies are also available
for your brand by a variety of coupon characteristics such as face value and
expiration date.
I'd like to order a copy of the most recent Worldwide Coupon
Distribution and Redemption Trends publication? Who do I contact?
The most recent edition of the Worldwide Coupon Distribution and Redemption
Trends publication is available for $295 (US). To order the publication or for
additional information, please contact Dianne Kamenear at 847-317-5587 or
mchan@NCHMarketing.com
.
Can you help me with the design of the coupon?
Yes, NCH has a series of guidelines to help you design your coupons. For more
information, contact Karyn Polak, kpolak@NCHMarketing.com.
Please make sure to put "coupon design" in the subject section of your email.
Industry recommended standards and other guidelines regarding coupons are also
available in the JICC Complete
Guide To Coupons which is available from the GMA at
www.gmabrands.com or at the Uniform
Code Council
, Inc.
Can you help me with bar coding my coupon?
Yes. NCH has a coding guide that can be sent to you. NCH recommends EAN-128
Format 1 currently, and we are available to walk you through the elements of
the bar code and how they are used. For more information, contact Karyn Polak,
kpolak@NCHMarketing.com
. Please make sure to put "bar coding guidelines" in the subject section of
your email.
Does NCH supply the numbers for the coupon bar code?
NCH provides the offer tracking code which will be used in the redemption
process and serves to identify your offer. The MIN code is assigned by the UCC
and is related to your product UPC, depending on coupon format. The
manufacturer assigns the family code, and the value code is taken from a set
table. All the other numbers are either check digits, application identifiers,
or number system characters that will be generated by your coding software. For
more information regarding coupon bar codes, please contact
kpolak@NCHMarketing.com
.
What is a family code and who is responsible for establishing
family codes? How do these get communicated to the industry?
A family code identifies the product or grouping of products for which a coupon
is valid. For example, utilizing a family code on your coupon will ensure that
the correct flavor or size is purchased by the consumer in order to receive a
discount, when a coupon is scanned by a retailer utilizing validation files.
Family codes are established by the manufacturer after taking into consideration how their products/brands are marketed and the related couponing efforts. NCH can provide guidance in establishing or revising family codes.
The establishment of a family code structure is a two-step process. The first step is to develop the appropriate family code structure. The second step is to communicate the structure to the industry and retailers. Communication to retailers may occur in several ways - through sales/broker groups, through direct mailings to your retailers/customers, or through NCH.
How do I code a coupon that has a value that is not listed on
the UPC Value Code list?
The UPC Value Code list is the industry recommendation for the coding of
coupons. If you do not find the value of your coupon on the list, the checker
intervention value of '00' may be used. Keep in mind that use of this value
code may result in additional costs charged by some retailers, as the coupon
may be considered "hard to handle."
If I have never couponed before, how long does it take to open
a box with NCH?
We recommend at least 30 days so that we have time to communicate the new
redemption address to other clearinghouses.
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What do I include when budgeting for a coupon offer?
When budgeting for a coupon, plan on reimbursing the retailer the face value of
the coupon plus $.08 for their handling of the coupon, as well as, their
shipping and handling costs which can vary widely. You also will want to
include your redemption costs.
I am not sure how long the coupon should be valid, and how
long does it take for retailers to submit coupons?
The duration or length of time the offer is valid to consumers depends on many
things; the promotional objective, the distribution media, product shelf life,
etc. all which should be weighed carefully. Retailers will expect some time to
submit the coupon past the printed expiration date. This period, called a grace
period, can range from three to twelve months after the printed expiration date
but should take into account the needs of the smallest, remotest retailer that
will be submitting your coupons via standard mail (six months is recommended by
industry standards). Remember, not all retailers submit coupons on a daily
basis.
How can I better analyze my redemption? Can you help me
evaluate the effectiveness of our recent promotions?
There are a number of tools that can be utilized to perform analysis on your
recent promotions. NCH's on-line software LAUNCH® will allow you to review
coupon information and retailer information in real time. In addition, we can
provide standard or customized reporting that will assist in your evaluation of
promotions. Lastly, we offer analysis tools that will allow you to evaluate
your promotions at the market level.
Can you provide information on my competitor's promotions?
Through our Analytical Services group we are able to provide two types of
competitive analysis. Please contact our Analytical Consultant, Heidi True at
htrue@nchmarketing.com
or call her directly at 847-317-5593 for available possibilities.
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