In eCommerce, few tactics are more effective than giving customers a reason to buy more, and rewarding them when they do. Volume discounts and free gifts with purchase are two powerful strategies that share a common goal: increasing the average order value. But when used together intelligently, their impact multiplies.
In this article, we’ll show you how to combine both tactics without confusing your customers or losing control over your margins. If you run a Shopify store, especially if you use Planet, this strategy might become one of your most valuable promotional assets.
If you're also considering when to use volume discounts or when to go for time-limited flash sale promotions, we recommend reading this article: Flash Sales vs. Volume Discounts: Which Strategy Is Right for You?
Why combine both strategies?
Each tactic serves a different but complementary purpose:
- Volume discounts reward customers who add more items to their cart.
- Free gifts boost the perceived value of the order, making the offer more attractive.
Together, they allow you to:
- Encourage larger purchases without relying on deep discounts.
- Add an emotional trigger (“I get something free”) that improves conversion.
- Boost repeat purchases if the gift is chosen well (e.g., a sample of another product).
Example: “Buy 3 units and get 15% off. Spend over €60 and receive this gift bag.”
This kind of message not only encourages customers to buy more but also creates a double benefit: financial savings and a tangible reward.
How to set it up with Planet
With Planet, you can combine both strategies from a single panel, no extra apps or manual setups are required. Just define the right conditions for each one.
1. Set Up the Volume Discount
- Define the thresholds (e.g., 10% off when buying 3, 15% off for 5+).
- Apply the promotion by collection, tag, or specific product.
- Planet activates the promotion only when the conditions are met.
2. Set Up the Free Gift
- Define the activation criteria: minimum spend, specific products in the cart, customer type, etc.
- You can exclude specific products (e.g., gift cards or already discounted items) from counting toward the threshold.
- The gift is automatically added to the cart when all conditions are met.
3. Combine Them Smoothly
- You can set the free gift to activate only after the volume discount has been applied.
- Or treat it as an independent incentive, as long as there’s no conflict between the two.
- Planet allows you to use advanced conditions, show the right promo to the right segment, and ensure it’s displayed.
Best practices to avoid customer confusion
Combining two benefits is powerful, but only if communicated clearly. Key tips:
- Unify the message: Instead of showing two separate promos, group them into one clear phrase. Example: “Get 15% off when you buy 3 or more, plus an exclusive gift when you spend over €60.”
- Use widgets or cart messages to explain which promotions are active.
- Avoid promotional noise: If you have other active discounts, prioritize and communicate clearly which incentive is the main one.
With Planet, you can control exactly which messages are shown, to whom, and when during the shopping journey.
When should you use this combo?
Not every campaign needs a free gift, and not every product warrants a volume discount. This combination works best when:
- You want to clear stock without heavy markdowns.
- You aim to reward top buyers without discounting prices across the board.
- You’re launching a new product line and want to promote larger formats with a compelling extra.
- You operate in B2B or sell frequently consumed products, where bulk buying is already common.
Combining volume discounts with free gifts isn’t just possible, it’s highly recommended when your goal is to increase cart value without sacrificing margins or overwhelming your store with generic promos. The key is smart segmentation, clear messaging, and using a tool that lets you do it all without errors.
With Planet, you can manage both strategies from a single panel, define precise activation rules, and offer a seamless, profitable shopping experience.
Ready to increase your average order value with promotions that work?
Start today with Planet and turn every promotion into a more valuable sale.