EP36: The Great Discount Debate of eCommerce: Growth Strategy or Brand Killer?

In this episode of The ASOM Pod, hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) tackle the Great Discount Debate—are discounts killing brand value, or are they just a necessary evil? Featuring insights from agency leaders, SaaS experts, and DTC marketers, this episode unpacks how discounting strategies impact long-term brand equity, customer loyalty, and profitability.

The discussion covers real-world examples of brands winning without discounts—like using bulk box offers to increase AOV during Black Friday—and the pitfalls of deep discounting, including how a 70% off sale tanked a brand’s conversion rates and margins. The hosts also break down alternative strategies, from exclusive product drops to community-driven engagement and influencer collaborations that drive sales without slashing prices.

What You’ll Learn:

• How discounting can erode brand value—and when it actually makes sense
• Creative ways to drive sales without cutting prices
• The role of brand equity, community, and influencer partnerships in sustainable growth
• Real-world success stories of non-discounting strategies in action
  

This episode is packed with data-driven insights and actionable takeaways for eCommerce brands, marketers, and founders looking to build a profitable, high-retention business—without racing to the bottom on price.

_____
Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!

Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/

Nacelle — Transform your eCommerce store with AI-powered product recommendations that understand your customers’ actual behaviors, not just their purchases. Learn more at https://www.nacelle.com

Workspace6 — The best community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators. Why struggle alone? Other founders have already solved your biggest challenges. Learn more at https://www.workspace6.io

Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.com

_____

00:00 Teaser Trailer

01:53 Welcome to the ASOM Pod

02:25 Introductions and Event Announcements

04:01 The Great Discount Debate: Are Discounts Killing Brand Value?

04:49 Bryan's Strong Stance Against Discounts

06:20 Agency Perspective on Discounting

12:14 Brand Equity and Discounting Strategies

19:28 Creative Solutions for Customer Value

21:10 Success Stories and Lessons Learned

32:38 The Art of Product Drops

33:28 Marketing Strategies: Beyond Discounts

34:11 Customer Reactions to Sales

38:15 Building Community and Brand Loyalty

45:20 Partner and Influencer Collaborations

49:01 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

53:49 Buy or Sell Game

58:42 Wrapping Up and What's Next

_____

Follow Jimmy Kim at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!