How to create a tiles incentive program
A tile sale is decided in three places: the showroom, where the customer picks a design from what is on display; the architect's or builder's desk, where large orders are specified; and the site, where the tile mason says whether the tile lays well. A tiles incentive program has to reward the showroom for range and display, keep project pricing under control, and give the mason a reason to favour your boxes.
To create a tiles incentive program, reward dealers and showrooms on value and on the range of designs they stock and display, run display incentives with photo submission and sales-officer approval, treat project pricing as an approved scheme tied to project invoices, prove sub-dealer purchases with distributor invoices or bill photos, put a QR code on each box so tile masons can scan to earn, and test the cost on last year's sales before launch.
What makes tiles different
Tiles are sold by design, size and finish across vitrified (glazed, polished and double-charge), ceramic wall and floor, porcelain slabs and outdoor tiles. Customers choose what they see, so the size and quality of a dealer's display shape your sales more than in most building materials. Large orders from builders come with negotiated project pricing. And the tile mason, who lays the tiles and often recommends the adhesive, influences repeat purchases and the next customer's choice. Volume alone, in boxes or square metres, misses most of this.
The setup, step by step
Map dealers, showrooms and sub-dealers
List dealers with their showroom size, the series they display, the sub-dealers they serve and the sales officer responsible. Mark which sub-dealers buy only through dealers.
Choose value and range schemes for dealers
Reward purchase value in slabs, growth over last year, and range: the number of series or designs from a focus list that the dealer stocks. Range schemes push new collections into showrooms faster than value slabs alone.
Set up display incentives
Pay for an agreed display (a set number of panels or a focus series on a feature wall) for a set period. The dealer submits photos, the sales officer approves, and the payout is held until approval. Rotate the focus series each quarter.
Make project pricing a scheme
Instead of ad hoc discounts, register each project, approve a capped incentive for it, and count only invoices tagged to that project.
Decide sub-dealer proof
Sub-dealers buy from dealers. Use the dealer's invoice, a photo of the bill read by OCR, or box scans as proof for sub-dealer slabs.
Put a QR code on every box
Each box carries a unique code. The tile mason scans it at site; the first scan binds the code and duplicates are blocked. Add tile adhesive and grout to the same program if you sell them.
Test on last year's sales
Run each draft scheme on six to twelve months of invoices to see who would have qualified and the cost, before the circular goes out.
- 1Dealer and showroomValue, range and display schemes; credit note
- 2Sub-dealerSlabs proved by invoice or bill photo; UPI or points
- 3ProjectRegistered, approved, capped incentive
- 4Tile masonScans the code on each box; UPI or points
- 5ArchitectRecognition, samples, project support
Scheme kinds by tier
| Tier | Scheme kinds | Proof | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dealers and showrooms | Value slab, growth over last year, range of focus series, display incentive, cash discount | Primary invoices; display photos approved by sales officer | Credit note |
| Sub-dealers | Monthly value slab, quarterly growth, new focus series stocked | Dealer invoice, bill photo with OCR, or box scan | UPI or points |
| Projects | Approved per-project incentive with a cap | Invoices tagged to the registered project | Credit note to the dealer |
| Tile masons and applicators | Per-box scan reward, monthly milestones, tiers, training | QR code on each box | Instant UPI or points |
| Architects and builders | Recognition, samples, project support | Not purchase-linked | Non-cash |
The loyalty programs for tile brands post covers program formats and retailer schemes for building materials lists sub-dealer scheme options.
Worked example: a range scheme
An illustrative range scheme for a quarter, rewarding dealers for stocking a focus list of 12 new series.
| Series stocked from the focus list | Reward | What it is meant to do |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 7 | ₹8,000 for the quarter | Get the new collection into more showrooms |
| 8 to 11 | ₹18,000 for the quarter | Encourage a broad display |
| All 12, with 3 on display panels | ₹30,000 for the quarter | Make the dealer a showcase for the collection |
A range scheme like this costs less than a broad value slab and pays only for behaviour you want: new designs in front of customers. Check it against stock: count a series as stocked only if the dealer has billed a minimum quantity of it in the quarter.
Calendar
Tile demand follows home construction and renovation, with stronger months around the festive and wedding seasons and slower months in the monsoon in many regions. Launch range and display schemes ahead of the festive season so new collections are on display when customers start visiting. Use mason meets and large-format tile training in slower months.
How Unotag sets this up for tile brands
Unotag runs value, growth, range, display and project schemes on its scheme engine, with eligibility by region, dealer type or code list, approvals and holds in a payout ledger, and invoices from SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Tally, Zoho or Excel. Sub-dealers prove purchases by invoice or bill photo, and tile masons scan box codes on WhatsApp or the app for UPI or points through the retailer and influencer programs. See the tiles page for the full program.
Key takeaways
- Reward tile dealers on range and display as well as value, because customers buy what they see.
- Run display incentives with photo submission and sales-officer approval before payout.
- Turn project discounts into approved, capped schemes tied to project invoices.
- Prove sub-dealer purchases by invoice or bill photo, and put a QR code on every box for masons.
- Launch range and display schemes ahead of the festive season and test every scheme on last year's sales.
Frequently asked questions
What schemes work best for tile dealers?
A mix of value slabs, growth over last year, range schemes for stocking focus series, display incentives and cash discount. Range and display schemes matter more in tiles than in most categories because customers choose from what is on display.
How does a display incentive work for tile showrooms?
The brand pays for an agreed display for a set period. The dealer submits photos, the sales officer approves, and the payout is held until approval.
How do tile masons earn in a loyalty program?
They scan the unique QR code on each box at site. The first scan binds the code, duplicates are blocked, and the reward reaches them by UPI or as points.
How do you control project discounts in tiles?
Register each project, approve a capped incentive for it, and count only invoices tagged to the project. Everything else earns the normal dealer scheme.
Can tile adhesive be part of the same program?
Yes. If the brand sells adhesive and grout, masons can scan those packs in the same program, which encourages a complete system on site.
Should architects get cash rewards?
Architects and builders are better engaged through recognition, samples and project support. Keep cash schemes for dealers, sub-dealers and masons.