From cake to pizza: How to get the best birthday freebies (and why there's a catch)
Cake, coffee, make-up and burgers are just some of the free things you can get on your birthday.
Many businesses offer freebies or discounts on customers' birthdays, often through loyalty programs or rewards apps. These perks can range from sweet treats like cake or coffee to more substantial offers like free burgers or pizza. For consumers, it's a chance to enjoy something on the house and feel special on their special day.
However, there's often a catch. To receive these birthday freebies, customers typically need to sign up for a loyalty program or download a specific app, which can mean sharing personal data with the company. This can lead to a flood of marketing emails or notifications, potentially overwhelming customers. Additionally, some programs may require users to make a purchase or take a specific action to qualify for the freebie, which can negate the perceived value of the offer.
As consumers weigh the benefits of birthday freebies against the potential drawbacks, it's essential to consider what's driving this trend. Businesses are using loyalty programs and rewards to collect valuable customer data and encourage repeat business. To watch next: will consumers continue to opt-in to these programs, or will concerns about data privacy and marketing fatigue lead to a backlash against birthday freebies?
Originally reported by bbc.co.uk. MyNews adds analysis for general news readers.