The programs, which offer certain generic drugs to customers with a prescription during the next several weeks, has been used by other supermarkets around the country in past years to better compete for customers' spending on other drugs and groceries.
Several arts organizations, including the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum, are offering discounts to the 67,000 Maryland state workers who were recently required to take furlough days. Under the program, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra offered the workers two tickets for the price of one to select shows.
"This is a tough economic climate for us all, so we're having to be responsive to the fact that all customers are tightening their belts," said Paul Meecham, president and CEO of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. "We're trying to create incentives to get people to continue to go out for varying entertainment."
Marketing professor Rust said promotions like these work if they're well publicized.
Antwerpen Hyundai Catonsville hasn't seen a sales boost yet under a new program that will take back cars from people who lose their jobs, suffer a physical disability or are self-employed and forced into bankruptcy. Hyundai said it will let customers return cars within a year of the purchase, and the company will cover $7,500 worth of depreciation.
"It's an unbelievable program," said Al Youhana, Antwerpen Hyundai's manager. "There hasn't been a lot of response yet, but it's only been [a few] days. It's a good selling tool, though."
Shoppers seemed to be responding well earlier this week to Wegmans' free antibiotic program.
Reza Kaliush, 50, of Freeland, visited the Hunt Valley pharmacy to pick up an antibiotic prescription for a throat infection. He wasn't aware of the new offer but praised it after learning the details, saying any savings are helpful.
A project manager for the Maryland state government, Kaliush said he spent several days last month on furlough as part of a budget-cutting measure. "Every dollar and cent is counted these days," he said.
Janet Kyte, 70, of Parkton, visited Wegmans' pharmacy with a lung infection. She was allergic to the generic antibiotics that Wegmans was offering free, so she had a prescription for Avelox, an antibiotic sold at full price. The drug cost $121 for 10 pills; she paid $52 of that while her insurance covered the rest.
Wegmans has 41 antibiotics on its free list; all are generic and cost between $8.99 and $13.99 for a course of treatment.
But Kyte said that her husband and two other relatives had throat infections, and they might be candidates for the Wegmans offer.
A retired social worker, she said the downturn has hit her hard.
"If you're on a fixed income you can't make ends meet," she said. "It's very difficult."
Baltimore Sun reporter David Kohn contributed to this article.
Incentives to buy
autos
Hyundai offering give-back programs for buyers who lose their jobs.
dining out
Several restaurants
offering discounted
menu items.
dining in
Grocery stores cutting prices to compete for customers.
arts
BSO offering two tickets
for the price of one to furloughed state workers.
retailers
Expect deep discounts
to be extended into the spring shopping season.
