Not all discounts are created equal. Understanding different deal types helps you choose the most valuable offers and avoid being misled by seemingly attractive percentages that don't actually save you money.
The Five Main Discount Categories
🔢 Percentage Discounts
Format: "20% off", "Save 30%"
How it works: Reduces the price by a fixed percentage
Best for: High-value purchases where the percentage translates to significant DKK savings
💰 Fixed Amount Discounts
Format: "200 DKK off", "Save 150 DKK"
How it works: Subtracts a specific amount from the total price
Best for: Lower-priced items where the fixed amount represents a high percentage of the cost
🚚 Free Shipping Offers
Format: "Free shipping on all orders", "No delivery fees"
How it works: Eliminates shipping costs (typically 29-99 DKK in Denmark)
Best for: Any purchase where shipping would otherwise apply
🛍️ Buy One Get One (BOGO)
Format: "Buy 2, Get 1 Free", "BOGO 50% off"
How it works: Requires multiple item purchases for the discount
Best for: Items you regularly use or can share with others
🎯 Minimum Purchase Thresholds
Format: "10% off orders over 500 DKK", "Free item with 300 DKK purchase"
How it works: Discount activates only after reaching spending minimum
Best for: Planned bulk purchases or when combining with other deals
The Mathematics of Smart Shopping
When Percentage Beats Fixed Amount
Percentage discounts become more valuable as your purchase amount increases. Here's the break-even analysis for common discount combinations:
Real-World Comparison
1,200 DKK purchase
Saves: 300 DKK
Final: 900 DKK
1,200 DKK purchase
Saves: 250 DKK
Final: 950 DKK
The Fixed Amount Sweet Spot
Fixed amount discounts offer better value on smaller purchases:
400 DKK purchase
Saves: 80 DKK
Final: 320 DKK
400 DKK purchase
Saves: 100 DKK
Final: 300 DKK
Hidden Costs and Gotchas
Free Shipping Minimum Requirements
Many Danish retailers offer "free shipping" that requires minimum purchases:
- H&M: Free shipping over 200 DKK (otherwise 39 DKK)
- Zalando: Always free shipping (competitive advantage)
- Elgiganten: Free shipping over 500 DKK (otherwise 69 DKK)
BOGO Deal Analysis
Buy One Get One deals can be misleading. Always calculate the per-item cost:
| Deal Type | Regular Price | Deal Price | Per Item Cost | Value Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy 2, Get 1 Free | 3 × 100 DKK = 300 DKK | 200 DKK | 66.67 DKK each | 33% savings |
| BOGO 50% off | 2 × 100 DKK = 200 DKK | 150 DKK | 75 DKK each | 25% savings |
| 30% off each | 2 × 100 DKK = 200 DKK | 140 DKK | 70 DKK each | 30% savings |
Category-Specific Strategies
Electronics & Tech
- Best deal types: Percentage discounts, cashback offers
- Avoid: BOGO deals (unless you need multiple items)
- Sweet spot: 15-25% off during sales periods
- Hidden value: Extended warranties included in promotions
Fashion & Clothing
- Best deal types: Buy 2 Get 1 Free, percentage off
- Avoid: Fixed amount on low-priced items
- Sweet spot: 30-50% off end-of-season items
- Hidden value: Free alterations during promotions
Home & Living
- Best deal types: Fixed amount on large purchases
- Avoid: Small percentage discounts
- Sweet spot: 200-500 DKK off furniture sets
- Hidden value: Free assembly or delivery included
Beauty & Personal Care
- Best deal types: BOGO, gift with purchase
- Avoid: High minimum purchase thresholds
- Sweet spot: Buy 2 Get 1 Free on regularly used products
- Hidden value: Free samples or travel sizes
Seasonal Deal Patterns
January Clearance
Common formats: High percentage discounts (40-70% off)
Best for: Winter items, electronics, furniture
Strategy: Wait for second markdown if you can
Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Common formats: Flash sales, doorbuster fixed amounts
Best for: Planned high-value purchases
Strategy: Research regular prices beforehand
Summer Sales
Common formats: Progressive discounts (starts 20%, ends 50%)
Best for: Fashion, outdoor gear, travel items
Strategy: Buy early for selection, late for maximum discount
Deal Evaluation Framework
Use this quick evaluation method for any discount:
- Calculate absolute savings: What's the DKK amount you'll save?
- Consider total cost: Include shipping, taxes, and fees
- Evaluate necessity: Do you actually need this item now?
- Compare alternatives: Check other stores and deal types
- Factor in convenience: Consider return policies and customer service
Remember: the best deal is the one that saves you the most money on items you were already planning to buy. Understanding deal mathematics prevents impulse purchases disguised as "great savings."