The rise of spin-the-wheel promotions in marketing – London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

In the last two years, there has been a growing trend for businesses to adopt spin-the-wheel promotions in a bid to engage customers in a new and exciting way. But what are these promotions exactly, and why are they so effective at boosting sales? We’ve looked at this topic in detail in this guide.

What are spin-the-wheel promotions

Spin-the-wheel promotions are interactive marketing tools that give players a chance to win prizes or discounts on their purchases, bringing a gamified and luck-based element to deals. While the activity has been popularised in TV game shows such as Wheel of Fortune, the most notable example of a spin-the-wheel game is roulette.

Roulette is an example of an element that has undergone a revolution in the digital sphere with titles such as the Spin Till You Win roulette game. It combines the traditional elements of roulette with additional bonus features and interactive gameplay to create a more dynamic experience. So have these marketing tools to great effect. They have been seen as a key contributor to the success story of online retailers such as Temu by offering a more engaging way to shop.

The appeal of the promotions

Spin-the-wheel promotions appeal to customers through several elements, some of which are similar to online roulette play. With major and minor prizes up for grabs without requiring any stake to be wagered, customers are more likely to engage with the offer. This common tactic is employed by brands such as Burger King.

Spin-the-wheel promotions are usually placed on website landing pages and award at least one minor prize, which immediately satisfies customers’ desires for discounts and rewards. While the prizes are always random and the values often meager, visitors have a sense that they’re valued customers from the get-go.

As there is no requirement for anyone to claim the promos, visitors have agency over whether or not they wish to interact with it. All of these elements combined amount to a memorable and exciting promotion that drives sales.

Notable examples

While many associate spin-the-wheel promotions with online retailers, they have been employed effectively across a range of industries. One of the clearest examples is Temu, which has shaken the global e-commerce market in 2024 with its heavily discounted products.

Customers are often faced with this promotion immediately upon opening the app, with perks including discount funds and free items. The online retailer ASOS has also offered these promos to first-time visitors by offering discounts of up to 20%.

The yoghurt company Yeo Valley also offers spin-the-wheel promotions, with a top prize being a £250 voucher to a homewares company. Even Octopus Energy, a utilities company, offers customers a chance to spin when they submit their metre readings, with savings of up to £512 on their energy bills on offer.

The future of spin-the-wheel promos

Due to the huge success of international e-commerce retailers, spin-the-wheel promotions will likely become increasingly ubiquitous and sophisticated. Business owners with a strong online presence may wish to employ these tactics to boost audience engagement and create a sense of urgency around their products.

Please play responsibly. For more information and advice visit https://www.begambleaware.org

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