Expert Answer • 2 min read

Should I exclude certain hero products from all discounts?

I'm running an e-commerce store and want to maintain the perceived value of our most premium or flagship products. Some of our hero items are high-margin, best-selling products that I'm hesitant to discount. I've heard conflicting advice about whether excluding certain products from promotional campaigns is smart or counterproductive. I need a strategic approach to determine which products should remain at full price and how this might impact overall store performance and customer perception.
Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO

2 min

TL;DR - Quick Answer

Selectively excluding hero products from discounts can protect brand positioning and maintain premium perception. Use data-driven criteria like profit margins, brand positioning, and product lifecycle to make strategic exclusion decisions that balance revenue and brand value.

Complete Expert Analysis

Strategic Product Discount Exclusion Framework

Deciding whether to exclude hero products from discounts requires a nuanced, data-driven approach that balances short-term revenue with long-term brand positioning.

Decision Criteria for Product Discount Exclusion

CriteriaExclusion RecommendationPotential Impact
Profit MarginHigh margin (>50%)Preserve profitability
Brand PositioningLuxury/Premium ProductsMaintain perceived value
Sales VolumeTop 10% best-selling itemsProtect core revenue stream
Product LifecycleRecently launched or evergreenPreserve initial market positioning

Strategic Exclusion Methods

Partial Exclusion Strategies

  • Limit discount percentage for hero products
  • Exclude from sitewide promotions
  • Create exclusive offers for loyal customers
  • Bundle with lower-margin products

Alternative Value-Adding Tactics

  • Offer free expedited shipping
  • Include bonus gifts or accessories
  • Create loyalty program bonus points
  • Extended warranty or premium support

Potential Risks of Over-Exclusion

1.

Reduced Conversion Opportunities

Completely excluding popular products might discourage potential buyers seeking value.

2.

Competitor Comparison

Customers might perceive your pricing as less competitive if hero products never participate in promotions.

3.

Missed Cross-Selling Potential

Hero product exclusions might limit opportunities to introduce customers to complementary items.

Intelligent Discount Management with Growth Suite

Growth Suite offers sophisticated discount targeting that goes beyond simple product exclusions. The platform uses advanced behavioral tracking to generate personalized, time-limited offers that respect your hero products' positioning. By analyzing individual visitor intent and engagement, Growth Suite can create nuanced discount strategies that protect your premium products' perceived value while still driving conversions. Its dynamic offer generation ensures that discounts are strategically applied only to visitors most likely to be influenced by promotional incentives.

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Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO of Growth Suite

With over a decade of experience in e-commerce optimization, Muhammed founded Growth Suite to help Shopify merchants maximize their conversion rates through intelligent behavior tracking and personalized offers. His expertise in growth strategies and conversion optimization has helped thousands of online stores increase their revenue.

E-commerce Expert Shopify Partner Growth Strategist

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