Two of the most common approaches are flash sales (short-term promotions) and volume discounts. In this article, we’ll help you understand when to use each one, what benefits they offer, and how to implement them easily in your Shopify store.
In eCommerce, not all promotions serve the same purpose. Some are designed to trigger short-term sales spikes, while others aim to increase the average order value. If you don’t choose the right strategy for your goal, you may end up losing margin or missing out on opportunities.
With Planet, you can create both strategies, combine them, and segment by product, customer, or country.
Activate Planet in your Shopify store and start selling more without losing control.
Still, debating between bundles and volume discounts? Check out our article: Bundles vs Volume Discounts: Which Works Best for Your Store?
What is a Flash Sale?
A flash sale is a time-limited promotion designed to create urgency. It typically lasts from a few hours to a couple of days and uses messages like:
- “Today Only”
- “Discount valid until midnight”
- “Limited time launch offer”
When to use flash sales:
- To drive spikes in traffic and conversions during key moments (Black Friday, seasonal sales, product launches…)
- To clear inventory without resorting to long-term discounts
- To re-engage your audience with a strong but temporary incentive
Benefits:
- Boosts conversion rates
- Creates a sense of exclusivity and urgency
- Allows aggressive promotions without impacting your long-term pricing strategy
What is a Volume Discount?
Volume discounts reward customers who buy more units of the same product or product category. They're ideal for increasing order value without applying broad discounts.
Typical examples:
- Buy 3 or more: 10% off
- Pack of 25 units at a lower price
- Free gift on orders over €50
When to use volume discounts:
- When selling frequently consumed or replenished products (cosmetics, food, supplements…)
- If you operate a B2B store or sell in bulk
- To raise the average order value without lowering base prices for all customers
Benefits:
- Increases average order value
- Rewards loyal or bulk-buying customers without flooding your entire audience with discounts
- Protects margins by avoiding store-wide price reductions
Key differences between flash sales and volume discounts
Although both are promotional tactics, they follow entirely different logic:
|
Feature |
Flash sale | Volume discount |
|
Duration |
Limited (hours or days) | Ongoing or campaign-based |
|
Main goal |
Trigger immediate purchase | Increase average order value |
|
Incentive type |
Time-based urgency | Quantity-based reward |
|
Communication |
Bold and urgent (“Today Only”) | Conditional (“Buy 3, save 10%”) |
|
Best use cases |
Seasonal changes, launches, sales | Stock replenishment, B2B, consumables |
Which works best for your industry?
Each promotion meets different needs and works better depending on the product type, purchase frequency, and customer behavior. Here are some clear examples:
Volume Discounts
- Beauty & Personal Care: creams, shampoos, makeup (e.g., 10% off when buying 3 of the same item)
- Food & Supplements: consumables like vitamins, protein, tea, snacks (e.g., pack of 10 bars at a lower price)
- Pharmacy & Healthcare: disposables, hygiene items, wellness products (e.g., special price when buying 5+)
- Home & Cleaning: monthly-use items like detergent, capsules, air fresheners
- B2B: dental clinics, salons, distributors
Flash Sales
- Fashion & Accessories: seasonal drops, discounts, short-term offers (e.g., “20% off today only on the new collection”)
- Home & Decor: Black Friday, clearance or launch campaigns
- Tech & Gadgets: conversion-boosting sales during key events like Christmas or product releases
- Lifestyle & Wellness: stores with frequent new arrivals or broad catalogs
Why Not Use Both at the Same Time?
While it may sound like a good idea to combine both tactics, they don’t typically mix well. Why?
- Conflicting messages: Should the customer act fast or buy more?
- Diluted impact: If there are too many incentives, none stand out
- Communication overload: Explaining two promos at once creates confusion and friction
Real-World Examples
Flash Sale
Gloss&Raffles
A home décor store that launches weekend flash sales during seasonal shifts to create urgency.
Foley’s
A fashion brand on Shopify that uses flash sales to drive short-term conversions without overwhelming their permanent outlet
Volume Discount
Seena Owell
A beauty supply store that uses tiered volume promos, especially targeted to distributors.
Clinical Research Dental
A B2B eCommerce store offering adjusted prices for bulk packs, visible right on the product page
Both approaches are profitable when they align with your product, campaign timing, and customer type. Flash sales and volume discounts are not interchangeable: each serves a specific purpose.
The key isn’t which one is “better”, it’s knowing when and why to use each one. And above all, avoiding mixed messages that confuse customers.
With Planet, you can run both strategies independently, clearly, and effortlessly.
Ready to choose the right promotion every time? Start today with Planet.