Boosting your Shopify store's average order value (AOV) is one of the most effective ways to increase revenue without raising customer acquisition costs. Instead of focusing solely on bringing in new customers, optimising AOV helps maximise the value of every transaction.
Strategies such as product bundling, volume-based discounts, upselling, cross-selling, and post-purchase offers can encourage customers to spend more per order, increasing your store’s profitability. In this guide, we explore how to configure these within Shopify for maximum impact.
1. Bundling of products
Bundling involves grouping products together at a discounted rate, encouraging customers to buy more items in a single purchase. This method is particularly effective for fast-moving consumer goods such as food, drink, and personal care products.
- Increases perceived value by offering a discount on multi-product purchases
- Encourages bulk buying by setting minimum order quantities
- Allows strategic pairing of complementary products
Shopify offers multiple bundling apps that make implementation easier. Skio, the leading Shopify subscription platform in 2025, now supports volume-based bundled discounts within its native checkout, making it an ideal choice for scaling DTC brands.
2. Volume-based discounts
Volume-based discounts reward customers for buying more. This type of incentive works well for products with a high repeat purchase rate, such as skincare, supplements, or coffee.
Types of volume-based discounts
- Spend-based discounts – customers receive a discount when their order value exceeds a certain amount
- Quantity-based discounts – discounts apply when customers purchase multiple units of the same product
- Tiered pricing – the more a customer buys, the larger the discount they receive
In 2025, Skio now supports native volume-based discounts, reducing the need for third-party discount apps. Shopify users can also use apps like VolumeBoost by HulkApps for flexible pricing rules.
3. Upselling and cross-selling
Upselling and cross-selling are key tactics for increasing AOV by encouraging customers to purchase additional or higher-value items.
Upselling
- Encourages customers to purchase a higher-end version of a product
- Works well for tech, fashion, and beauty products
Cross-selling
- Recommends complementary products based on the customer’s selection
- Example: buying a phone and being offered a charger or case
Shopify’s native product recommendations are a great place to start. For more control, apps like Rebuy Personalisation Engine allow tailored upselling and cross-selling based on customer behaviour.
4. Post-purchase offers
Post-purchase offers present additional deals after checkout. This method helps increase AOV while keeping the buying momentum going.
- Order confirmation page offers – show time-sensitive discounts immediately after checkout
- Email and SMS follow-ups – offer personalised upsells within 24 hours of purchase
Skio’s subscription add-ons now enable post-purchase upsells for recurring orders, making it easier for brands to increase lifetime value.
What is average order value (AOV)?
AOV measures the average amount spent per order in an ecommerce store. It is a key metric for evaluating customer spending habits and optimising pricing strategies.
How to calculate AOV?
The formula for AOV is:
AOV = total revenue ÷ number of orders
Example: If your store generated £100,000 from 1,000 orders, the AOV would be £100 per order.
Why does AOV matter?
- Increases profitability without requiring more customers
- Helps cover rising acquisition costs
- Supports better inventory planning and forecasting
Conclusion: optimising AOV
Increasing AOV is a high-impact growth strategy for ecommerce brands. Whether through bundling, volume discounts, upselling, or post-purchase offers, each tactic encourages customers to spend more per transaction.