Don't Bother

I've noticed a few sales lately, especially at the grocery store, where the savings are virtually nonexistent. "Regular price $1.19 a pound, now just $1.11"

I have to ask: Why bother?
Is the store really attracting much (any?) incremental sales from this? Are consumers really going out of their way to purchase the "special" products?

Even better, I came across the following promotion on a loaf of bread:

It's a little blurry, but the amazing promotional offer is a free toaster oven with 12 proofs of purchase, plus $18 shipping and handling. www.thinkbreadinstead.ca

I wonder how many redemptions they had. How many people:
a.) Even want a toaster oven
b.) Want that particular brand
c.) Are willing and able to save 12 proofs of purchase without losing them (and before the promotion expired)
d.) Are willing to pay $18 for shipping and handling
e.) Actually believe the "suggested retail price" is what they would have to pay otherwise

I could, of course, be completely wrong and this may have been an incredibly successful promotion. But it's hard to imagine anyone going out of their way to buy extra bread (or switching to this particular brand) in order to save a few bucks on a small appliance.

Shouldn't a special promotion offer -- especially one with plenty of marketing support -- be, y'know, special? It doesn't have to be the greatest offer in the history of the universe, but should be a little bit noteworthy and memorable.

(As an aside: I don't really get the whole "Think Bread Instead" promotion. Instead of what? How many people don't already consume bread as a staple? Are there really people out there who don't "think of bread" at most meals? Seems weird.)