SimplyCodes Research · 2026
Key data points on how shoppers save with promo codes — and the gap between published discounts and real-world savings.
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Published Discount ⓘ | 18.8% | 19.7% | 19.5% | Stable |
| Median Published Discount ⓘ | 15% | 15% | 15% | 36 mo. flat |
| Avg. Realized Savings ⓘ | — | — | 23% | +8pp vs. median |
| December Peak (Median) | 20% | 20% | 20% | Consistent |
| Black Friday Median | 15% — unchanged during major events | No spike | ||
The median published discount has held at 15% for 36 straight months — a structural floor, not a trend.
Despite a 15% median code, shoppers realized 23% average savings — 8 percentage points above the floor.
The only seasonal lift: median codes rise to 20% in December. Black Friday? Still 15%.
The gap between 15% median and 23% realized means shoppers aren't settling — they find stronger, targeted codes.
Avg. published discounts: 18.8% (2023) → 19.7% (2024) → 19.5% (2025). Retailer pricing is holding steady.
On a $250 purchase, 23% savings = ~$57.50 back. On $500, that's over $115 saved.
Source: SimplyCodes internal data, 2023–2025. Published discounts = face value of %-off codes across tracked retailers. Realized savings = avg. discount on completed transactions.