When it comes to effective promotions on Shopify, many brands ask themselves: is it better to offer a bundle or apply volume discounts? Both strategies can help increase average order value, improve conversions, and boost customer loyalty, but each serves a different purpose.
If you’ve already asked yourself this question, we recommend starting with our article "BOGO or Bundle: Which Strategy to Choose?", where we compare two other popular promotional strategies. In this new post, we continue along the same lines to help you understand when it’s best to create a bundle and when to go with a volume discount.
What is a Bundle?
A bundle is a grouping of two or more products sold together as a pack at a special price. Customers feel like they’re getting more for less, which increases perceived value and lowers purchase barriers. This strategy also helps brands boost cross-selling, highlight lesser-known products, or offer easy combinations.
How does it work?
- The merchant defines which products are grouped.
- A reduced price is set for the bundle.
- The offer can be shown as “buy this pack and save 20%” or with a fixed price lower than the combined total of the individual items.
Advantages of Bundle
- Increases average order value.
- Promotes the sale of complementary products.
- Helps move slower inventory.
- Improves customer experience by offering complete solutions.
What is a Volume Discount?
Volume discounts reward customers for purchasing more units of the same product (or similar products). This strategy is designed to encourage stocking up, especially for replenishable or frequently used items.
How does it work?
- The merchant sets up discount tiers.
- For example: 1 unit = full price, 2 units = 10% off, 3+ units = 20% off.
- The discount is applied automatically as items are added to the cart.
Advantages of Volume Discounts
- Encourages upselling in a simple, automated way.
- Ideal for products the customer already knows and buys regularly.
- Reduces cost per unit sold.
- Can be used to compete on price without devaluing the product.
Main Differences Between Bundles and Volume Discounts
Which Works Better by Industry
Cosmetics & Personal Care
- Bundle: skincare routine (cleanser + toner + serum). Great for educating customers on proper use
- Volume: makeup remover pads, wipes, masks, lip balms. Perfect for restocking.
Fashion & Accessories
- Bundle: complete outfit (shirt + pants + accessory).
- Volume: basic tees, underwear, or socks. Encourages multiple purchases.
Food & Beverages
- Bundle: gourmet basket with assorted items.
- Volume: snacks, coffee, teas, functional drinks.
Home & Decor
- Bundle: aromatic pack (candles, diffusers, air fresheners).
- Volume: incense, diffuser refills, small decorative items.
Electronics & Gadgets
- Bundle: accessory pack (headphones + case + charger).
- Volume: cables, batteries, and repeat-use accessories.
Why Not Use Both?
A smart promotional strategy doesn’t rely on a single tactic—it combines the ones that best fit your product catalog, profit margins, and business goals.
Combine both to maximize results:
- Use bundles to introduce new products or increase the perceived value of complementary items.
- Use volume discounts to encourage customers to stock up or buy gifts.
Experiment with both types and track what converts better using Planet.
With Planet, you can easily set up bundles, tiered discounts, combined promotions, and much more. Customize how they appear, apply advanced conditions, and track performance in real time to know what works and optimize accordingly.
Real-Life Examples
- A supplement store offers a “Train All-In” pack (protein + creatine + shaker) with a 25% discount: a strategic bundle to boost AOV.
- A skincare brand sells individual face masks but applies a 15% discount when you buy 3 or more: a volume discount ideal for fast-replenishing items.
Both promotions can coexist in the same store, and with a platform like Planet, you can manage them seamlessly.
Bundles and volume discounts can help you sell more, improve customer experience, and increase profitability. The key is understanding which fits best with the type of product you sell and your customers’ shopping habits.
Start optimizing your promotions today with Planet! Want to create irresistible bundles or scalable volume discounts in your Shopify store without hassle? With Planet, you can do it in minutes, customize how they’re displayed, and analyze their real impact.