Sharene Macdonald

Sales promotion is one of the four aspects of promotional mix. (The other three parts of the promotional mix are advertising, personal selling, and publicity/public relations.) Sales promotions are non-personal promotional efforts that are designed to have an immediate impact on sales. Media and non-media marketing communications are employed for a pre-determined, limited time to increase consumer demand, stimulate market demand or improve product availability. Examples include: contests, points of purchase displays, free travel, such as free flights.
Sales promotions can be directed at either the customer, sales staff, or distribution channel members (such as retailers). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales promotion

Sales promotion is a tool designed to stimulate interest and build awareness of a companies products or services, enhance their image to their target audience, and result in increased sales and revenue. The promotional strategy may be short-term, but the goal is for the long-term benefit and longevity of the company or manufacturer.

Sales promotion techniques can range from commercials on television or radio, in print form such as brochures, newspapers or magazines and may offer free giveaways, opportunities, competitions and incentives. Examples of this are “buy one, get one free”, “50% off the second pair”, free product sampling, discount vouchers, and reward schemes such as Flybuys and Frequent Flyer Points.