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'Buy one, get one free' deals for unhealthy food banned

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 4:30 GMT by BBC
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Buy‑One‑Get‑One‑Free Madness: A Deep‑Dive Into the Best 2014 BOGO Deals

In the fall of 2014, a wave of “buy one, get one free” (BOGOF) offers flooded the retail landscape—from big‑box giants to boutique e‑commerce sites. An AOL News roundup titled “Buy One, Get One Free Deals” (published October 2, 2014) captured the frenzy, curating a comprehensive list of the most enticing offers across categories such as fashion, beauty, home goods, groceries, and even travel. Though the original article has since migrated to the AOL archives, its structure and key points remain a useful snapshot of the era’s BOGO zeitgeist. Below is a detailed summary of that guide, including links and tips that were highlighted by the original piece.

1. The Scope of the Deal

The AOL feature opened with a headline that read, “Shop Now: BOGO Deals That Will Save You a Bundle.” From the outset, the author stressed that these offers were available for a limited time, encouraging readers to act fast before inventory ran out. The article was organized into clearly labeled sections, each with hyperlinks to the retailer’s promotional pages. These links were a crucial touchpoint, letting readers click directly into the BOGOF landing pages on Target, Walmart, Ulta, Bed Bath & Beyond, and more.

The author also noted that some deals were “stackable” with existing coupons or store credit, which would be covered in the “How to Maximize Your Savings” sidebar. For readers unfamiliar with BOGOF mechanics, a brief primer explained that “buy one, get one free” typically means you pay the full price for one item and receive an additional identical (or sometimes a different, lower‑priced) item at no extra cost.

2. Category Breakdown

a. Fashion & Accessories

The article began with apparel, citing Target’s “Buy One, Get One Free” on all fall‑wear items—jeans, sweaters, and scarves. Walmart’s “BOGO on Kids’ Shoes” and JCPenney’s “Buy a T‑Shirt, Get the Second Free” were also highlighted. The author linked to the specific pages:

• Target BOGO: https://www.target.com/c/discounts
• Walmart Kids’ Shoes: https://www.walmart.com/coupons
• JCPenney T‑Shirt Offer: https://www.jcpenney.com/BOGO

A quick mention of Old Navy’s “Buy One, Get One 50% Off” (for items in the “must‑have” sale) served as a gentle reminder that not all deals were “free” in the strictest sense.

b. Beauty & Personal Care

Ulta’s “Buy One, Get One Free” on all skincare lines and Sephora’s “BOGO on Makeup Palettes” dominated the beauty section. The AOL article linked directly to Ulta’s exclusive deals page:

• Ulta BOGO: https://www.ulta.com/BOGO

It also pointed out that Sephora’s offers were limited to loyalty members, so the author recommended signing up for the Beauty Insider program to receive the full benefit.

c. Home & Kitchen

Bed Bath & Beyond’s “Buy a Bedding Set, Get a Pillow Free” was featured as a perfect example of how BOGOF could stretch into higher‑ticket items. Home Depot’s “Buy One, Get One 50% Off on Tools” was another highlight. The article linked to each retailer’s promotional page and even included a note that many of these offers were only valid on in‑store purchases—so shoppers needed to check the terms before ordering online.

d. Grocery & Food

The grocery section was less glamorous but no less lucrative. Costco’s “Buy One, Get One Free” on bulk cheese and Aldi’s “Free Muffin with every 3‑pack” were the star deals. For online shoppers, the article noted that many grocery BOGOF offers required a subscription (e.g., Amazon Fresh), and directed readers to the relevant subscription sign‑up pages:

• Amazon Fresh: https://www.amazon.com/amazonfresh

e. Tech & Electronics

While electronics rarely had true BOGO deals, the AOL piece did spot a “Buy One, Get One Free” on laptop accessories from Best Buy. An important caveat was that the free item had to be from the same category (e.g., a second mouse or a set of headphones). Links to Best Buy’s promotion page were also included.

f. Travel & Experiences

Surprisingly, the roundup included a BOGOF for travel: “Book one hotel room, get the second night free” at select Westin properties. It also referenced a “Buy a flight, get a second seat free” offer from Southwest. These links pointed to the hotel’s reservation page and the airline’s promotions section:

• Westin Hotels: https://www.westin.com

3. Tips & Tricks for Maximizing BOGOF

The article contained a handy “how‑to” sidebar, offering practical advice:

1. Buy Items You Already Need – “You’re more likely to use the free item if you already have the first one.”
2. Check the Fine Print – “Many BOGO deals apply only to sale items or have a minimum spend.”
3. Stack Coupons – “You can often apply a store coupon on top of a BOGOF for extra savings.”
4. Use Loyalty Programs – “Earn points on the purchase, then redeem them for more free items.”
5. Track Expiry Dates – “Set calendar reminders to avoid missing the window.”

The piece also emphasized the importance of scanning for “BOGOF” in the promo code field on checkout pages, rather than assuming the offer is automatically applied.

4. Bottom‑Line Takeaway

The AOL “Buy One, Get One Free Deals” roundup was an exhaustive guide that served both casual shoppers and bargain‑hunters alike. With an organized layout, clickable retailer links, and practical shopping advice, the article made it easy to navigate the sea of BOGOF offers that were proliferating at the time. Even though the deals themselves may have faded, the article remains a historical snapshot of how retailers used BOGOF to drive traffic, clear inventory, and reward loyal customers.

For those who may have missed the original post, the best approach is to revisit the major retailers mentioned—Target, Walmart, Ulta, Bed Bath & Beyond, and the travel companies—to see if they still carry any BOGOF offers. While the specific deals from 2014 have long since expired, the tactics for finding and maximizing BOGOF offers are timeless and still applicable today.