Selling on Shopify isn’t just about listing good products anymore. Everyone’s doing that. What really makes a difference now is how you get people to notice, stick around, and actually buy. With so many stores popping up, it’s the strategy behind the scenes that gives you the edge.
Two tried-and-tested methods that often rise to the top are volume discounts and price bundling. Both aim to increase average order value (AOV) while giving customers more reason to buy but they work in different ways.
Not sure what brings in more sales discounts for buying more, or ready-made bundles that just make sense? You’re not alone.
This piece lays it all out. We’ll see how both strategies play out in real stores, where they work, where they might fall short, and how you can use them without relying on trial and error.
Key Takeaways
Need to move inventory or boost order size? Volume discounts are a simple way to encourage shoppers to buy more without overthinking it.
Want to increase value without cutting deep into profits? Price bundling makes that possible and gives customers a smoother, more curated shopping experience.
Don’t limit yourself to just one approach. There’s a whole world of product bundling formats: from pure bundles to build-your-own-box options. Try them. Mix them. See what sticks.
One thing to watch out for: too many deals at once can confuse buyers. If your pricing strategies feel messy, they’ll bounce.
Use your data. Trust it. The best profit optimization isn’t guesswork.
Tools like BundleSuite let you build, test, and refine your volume discounts and bundled offers with zero coding.
Understanding Volume Discounts and Price Bundling
Before we dive deep, let’s get the basics right.
Volume Discounts
When shoppers buy more, it often makes sense to give them a little something in return. That’s what volume discounts are all about. You might offer “Buy 2, save 10%” or toss in a free item when someone grabs 5. It works especially well for fast-moving, repeat-use items like snacks or skincare.
Bulk discounts, a subset of volume discounts, target shoppers placing large orders, often for resale or heavy use.
For example, a pet supplies store might offer “Buy 50 packs of dog treats and get 30% off,” appealing to pet groomers, kennels, or small resellers.
Price Bundling
Price bundling is when you sell multiple products together at a lower combined price. Instead of buying items one by one, customers get a packaged deal. Think: “Shampoo + Conditioner Combo” or a 3-in-1 skincare set.
There are many forms of product bundling, and we’ll dive into those soon.
Both strategies help increase AOV on Shopify, but the way they influence buying behavior is very different.
Benefits of Offering Volume Discounts
Volume discounts tap into a universal shopping instinct: getting more value for less.
How Volume Discounts Can Boost Your Shopify Sales
1. Drive Bigger Orders
Great for products customers need often like vitamins, coffee, or cleaning supplies. Offering a deal for larger quantities pushes up cart value.
2. Clear Out Stock Faster
If you’ve got inventory sitting idle, a volume deal can move it without making it feel like clearance.
3. Lower Cart Abandonment
Seeing a “Buy 3, Save 20%” message can help convert an indecisive shopper, especially with a time-sensitive offer.
4. Increase Repeat Purchases
Bigger orders often signal trust. That kind of buyer is more likely to come back.
Strategies for Implementing Volume Discounts
1. Display Savings Visibly on Product Pages
Show the original price vs. discounted price dynamically as quantity increases—this makes the value proposition obvious and compelling.
2. Segment Discounts by Product Category
Apply volume deals to specific product types (e.g., consumables, accessories, seasonal items) to target high-opportunity SKUs without affecting your entire catalog.
3. Enable Auto-Applied Discounts
Remove friction at checkout by automatically applying the discount—no coupon codes or manual steps required.
4. Combine Volume Discounts with Upsells
Offer a relevant add-on after the volume discount is applied (e.g., “Add this for just ₹99 more”). This boosts AOV and enhances the buying experience.
5. Promote with Countdown Timers
Pair your volume deals with limited-time messaging to create urgency and encourage quicker purchases.
Benefits of Price Bundling in Maximizing Profit Margins
While volume discounts push customers to buy more of the same thing, price bundling lets you creatively mix and match different products for a bigger sale.
Why Price Bundling Works
1. Introduce New Products
Bundle your hero product with a lesser-known one to increase exposure.
2. Cross-Sell With Purpose
A good example: bundle your top moisturizer with a cleanser and toner. Now it’s a full routine.
3. Enhance Perceived Value
Bundled items that “save 30%” feel more rewarding than individual items at 50% off.
4. Reduce Decision Fatigue
A bundle makes it easier to choose. No extra thinking is needed.
Different Types of Price Bundling Techniques
Not all bundled offers are the same. Here are four ways to do it:
1. Pure Bundling
Items are only available as part of a set. Great for kits or seasonal boxes.
Example: A holiday gift set with exclusive scents.
2. Mixed Bundling
Products can be bought solo or as part of a deal.
Example: Shampoo + Conditioner for $25 instead of $30 if bought separately.
3. Build Your Own Box
Let customers mix and match from a list. Perfect for snacks, beauty products, or accessories.
4. Combo Kits
Pre-designed sets around a theme.
Example: “Laptop Essentials Kit” with sleeve, stand, and keyboard cover at 20% off.
Successful Volume Discounts and Price Bundling Examples
Volume Discounts
These strategies reward customers for buying more of the same or similar items by offering progressive savings.
Gym Supplements Store
- Buy 1 for $49.99
- Buy 2 for $89.99
- Buy 4 for $159.99
The more you buy, the better the unit price.
Snack Company
- Pick any 5 snacks for $25
- Individual snack price: $6 each
Encourages higher volume purchases with clear per-item savings.
Price Bundling
These examples combine different but complementary products into a single, curated offer, often at a reduced combined price.
Skincare Brand
- Moisturizer ($20), Toner ($18), Cleanser ($22) individually
- Bundle: “Glow-Up Trio” for $49
Saves $11 and simplifies the buying decision with a complete routine.
Tech Accessories
- “Laptop Essentials Kit” includes a sleeve, stand, and keyboard cover
- Priced at 20% less than buying each item separately
A themed combo kit designed around common use cases.
Potential Challenges and Risks to Consider
1. Overdoing Discounts
Used too often, they hurt profits and can cheapen your brand. Be strategic.
2. Inventory Complexity
Bundling complicates stock tracking. Make sure your backend can handle it.
3. Pricing Confusion
If prices don’t clearly add up, customers get confused and bounce.
4. Weak Bundle Value
If the deal doesn’t feel worthwhile, it won’t convert. Add purpose and relevance.
Volume Discounts vs. Price Bundling: Profit Maximization Comparison
|
Strategy Lever |
Volume Discounts |
Price Bundling |
| Testing & Iteration | A/B test % off per unit or quantity tiers | A/B test bundle formats, pricing, and layout |
| Audience Segmentation | Appeals to value-conscious, bulk-buying customers | Appeals to curated-experience or gift-seeking customers |
| Personalized Messaging | “Stock up and save” / “Buy more, spend less” | “Your daily ritual” / “Curated just for you” |
| Urgency Creation | “Buy 3 today, save 20%” / “Ends in 2 hours!” | “Only 100 bundles left” / “Limited-time combo offer” |
| Upsell Opportunities | Triggered during high-quantity product views | Shown on related-product pages, checkout, or blog posts |
| Impact on AOV | Steady lift with repeat-use products | Higher spikes when bundle value is clearly visible |
| Best for | Fast-moving, consumable, repeat-use items | Complementary products, new launches, giftable sets |
Final Thoughts
Still torn between bundling and volume deals? Don’t be.
Both work. It just depends on your products and your customers.
If your items go well together, price bundling offers a smooth way to boost cart value.
If your goal is bigger orders, volume discounts can get you there faster.
The best brands? They don’t choose one. They test both and lean into what works.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the difference between volume discounts and price bundling?
Volume discounts reduce the price when you buy more of the same item. Price bundling gives a deal when you buy different products together.
2. Which one boosts AOV better on Shopify?
Depends. Use volume discounts for fast-moving or consumable items. Use bundled offers when your products pair well.
3. Can I use both in the same store?
Yes, and you should. They target different behaviors.
4. What types of bundling work best?
Pure bundling, mixed bundling, build your own box, and combo kits all work. Try and track.
5. Do volume discounts help with loyalty?
They can. Bigger buys often lead to more repeat business.
6. Are there risks to using bundling?
If bundles feel random or pricing is unclear, shoppers might not buy. Keep it simple and valuable.
7. What’s the easiest way to set this up on Shopify?
Try an app like BundleSuite. It lets you create volume discounts and product bundling offers without touching code.
8. How do I measure success?
Track AOV, cart size, and repeat purchases. Use the data to refine.