The convenience store 7-Eleven is celebrating its 87th birthday on Friday, July 11, better known to millions of Americans as “Free Slurpee Day.” However, the retailer isn’t limiting its birthday celebration to just one day and one product this year, rather an entire week of different freebies on each day.
According to 7-Eleven, 7 million free Slurpees were slurped by customers last year. The numbers are expected to increase this year with the addition of the new week of giveaways. Unlike the free Slurpee, however, the rest of the freebies require the download of the free 7-Eleven app on smartphones.
According to Time Money, 7-Eleven does these giveaways each year because they are successful at gaining business. When a customer is given something free, it fosters a sense of good will. In return, the customer is more likely to buy something extra. And in this technological era, the retailer is requiring an app download in order to get the freebies. The app allows users to locate nearby 7-Eleven stores, browse new products and download coupons. 7-Eleven incorporated the app into its week of freebies because it will give the retailer a direct connection to customers through their phones, which in turn will encourage sales.
The week of freebies following Friday, July 11 are as follows:
Saturday, July 12: Big Gulp soft drink
Sunday, July 13: M&M’s Birthday Cake Flavor Candies
Monday, July 14: Grandma’s Cookies
Tuesday, July 15: Twinkies
Wednesday, July 16: Snickers or Twix Ice Cream Bar
Thursday, July 17: Quaker Chewy Yogurt Snack Bar
Friday, July 18: Pillsbury Cookie
Saturday, July 19: Small Slurpee