The Half-Million-Pound Sausage: What One Simple Offer Taught Me About Promotions

This week, it’s British Sausage Week.

And every year, it reminds me of a conversation I had with my good friend, David Lishman - over two decades ago.

He shared with me his sausage-themed promotion for British Sausage Week.

Nothing fancy.

Just something fun, timely, and easy for customers to get behind.

And a great offer.

We gave it a go.

And it worked.

Fast-forward twenty years and that one offer has pulled in over half a million pounds of extra revenue.

Half a million.

From sausages.

Since then, we’ve dreamt up all sorts of offers and promotions.

Steak Night.

Pork Pie Festival.

Scotch Egg Week.

Each becoming an annual favourite with customers.

Every year, those events pull thousands through the tills.

Sure, not every offer hits gold - some fizzle out after a year.

But the winners? They keep giving - year after year, pound after pound.

That’s the real lifetime value of a good promotion:

Sales x Consistency = Serious Money.

So, here’s my question: what’s the next great offer or promotion you could dream up?

And while you’re thinking about it, ask yourself this: are you spending your time doing the £10-an-hour work… or the £10k-an-hour work?

Because sometimes, one great idea can make the difference.

Something to ponder over.

Have a great week.

Mark