Best Retail Recession Promotions: Birthday Club Freebies Build Customer Loyalty

Top U.S. Retail Industry Companies Find a Hot Alternative to Discount Pricing

"Free" is the new "discount" for the U.S. retail industry, as retailers are finding that they have to use creative promotions that wll lure customers through their doors. To appeal to the "free" price point that recessionary shoppers readily respond to, many retailers have launched birthday club promotions that offer a special freebie or discount to customers on their birthday.

The birthday club strategy works well not only because it creates gratitude and goodwill with the birthday customer, but also because the retailer often snags extra sales from the family and friends that are tagging along for the celebration. Birthday clubs also have a long-term benefit because retailers can gather contact data from customers to use in future marketing efforts.

What follows is a list of birthday clubs, freebies, and discounts that are currently being offered by major U.S. retailers. Registration is free, so if you'd like to get an e-mailbox full of extra surprises on your birthday this year, all it takes is a little bit of typing.

Alfy's Pizza
Free personal one-topping pizza to birthday club members
Alfy's Bithday Club

Aveda
Free Personal Blends PureFume or a customer blended body care product "offer" to birthday club members
Aveda Birthday Club

Baskin Robbins
Free 2.5 oz. scoop of ice cream for birthday club members
Baskin Robbins Birthday Club

Black Angus
Free steak dinner for birthday club members
Black Angus Prime Club

Bob Evans Birthday Club
Free kids' meal for each child registered in the birthday club
Bob Evans Birthday Club

Bonanza/Ponderosa
A "special birthday offer" for e-Club members
Bonanza/Ponderosa Birthday Club

Buono's Authentic Pizzeria
Free entree or personal pizza, plus a free dine-in dessert for birthday club members
Buono's Authentic Pizzeria Birthday Club

California Pizza Kitchen
Free CPKids meal for each child enrolled in the birthday club
CPKids Club

Captain D's
Free Kid's Meal and birthday greeting for each child enrolled in the Captain D's Aqua Agents Birthday Club
Captain D's Aqua Agents Birthday Club

Children's Place
"Special gift coupon" for each child enrolled in the birthday club
Children's Place Birthday Club

Cold Stone Creamery
Free ice cream creation for birthday club members
Cold Stone Creamery Birthday Club

Dairy Queen
"Special surprise" for Blizzard Fan Club members
Dairy Queen Blizzard Club

Firehouse Subs
Free sub for birthday club members
Firehouse Subs Birthday Club

Friendly's
"Birthday offer" for each family member enrolled in the birthday club
Friendly's Birthday Club

H-E-B
Birthday card and "special coupons" for pet birthday club members
H-E-B Pet Birthday Club

Moe's Southwest Grill
Free kid's meal for each child registered in the kids' birthday club
Moe's Southwest Grill Kids' Birthday Club and other discounts and promotional specials

Red Lobster
"Birthday Surprise" for Fresh Catch Club members
Red Lobster Fresh Catch Club

Red Robin
Free burger for adults, free kids' meal for eClub members
Red Robin eClub

Rita's Ice Custard Happiness
"Special birthday treat" for Online Birthday Club members
Rita's Ice Custard Happiness Online Birthday Club

Sonic Drive-In
Free Wacky Pack Kids' Meal for each child registered in the Wacky Pack Kids' Birthday Club
Sonic Drive-In Wacky Pack Kids' Birthday Club

Strickland's
Free "dirt sundae" for each child registered in the Kid's Zone Birthday Club
Strickland's Kid's Zone Birthday Club

Toys 'R Us
Free party planner, card, gift, birthday crown, balloon, store announcement, and Geoffrey birthday call for each child registered in the birthday club
Toys 'R Us Birthday Club

Zaxby's
Free Kidz Meal for each child regitered in the Zax Kidz Club
More about Zaxby's Zax Kidz Club