For anyone who wants to know how to set up volume discounts (quantity discounts / bulk purchase discounts) on Shopify. This article explains in detail how to set up a volume discount easily and at no extra cost using Shopify's native discount feature. Master this effective promotional technique that gives customers a sense of value while boosting sales and improving inventory turnover.
What Is a Volume Discount?
A volume discount is a promotional technique that applies a discount when a customer purchases a certain quantity of a product or more. It is also known as a "quantity discount" or "bulk purchase discount." This mechanism typically involves a tiered discount structure where the discount rate increases as the purchase quantity increases, encouraging customers to buy in bulk and boosting sales as a result.
For example, it is often set up as "5% off for 2 or more" or "10% off for 3 or more." This gives customers a sense of getting a good deal, while for the merchant it can help increase inventory turnover and raise the average order value.
Volume discounts can also be limited to specific products or specific customer segments, making them an effective tool for building sales strategies tailored to a particular target.
How to Set Up Volume Discounts on Shopify
Using the Discount Feature
This method uses Shopify's native discount feature. Since the discount feature is built in from the start, you can use it for free.
Using the discount feature, you can set up volume discounts such as the following:
- A volume discount across the entire store
- A volume discount for a specific collection
- A volume discount for a specific product
- A volume discount for users in a specific segment only
- A volume discount for specific users only
The blog article below explains the types and usage of the discount feature in detail. Please take a look.
Using a Shopify App
Next is the method of using a Shopify app. This is recommended if you want to set up a volume discount with complex conditions that the native discount feature cannot handle. The downsides are that app usage fees may apply, and some apps may not support Japanese.
Recommended Volume Discount App: "RuffRuff Order Bonus"
RuffRuff Order Bonus is a Shopify app that lets you implement a wide variety of discount strategies under virtually any condition.
It can achieve the following types of volume discounts, which are difficult to realize with the native discount feature.
Volume Discount Based on Cart Subtotal
- Under ¥3,000 → No discount
- ¥3,000 or more → 10% off
- ¥5,000 or more → 15% off
- ¥10,000 or more → 20% off
Volume Discount for Specific Customers Only
For VIP members
- 1-2 items → No discount
- 3-4 items → 10% off
- 5-9 items → 15% off
- 10 or more items → 20% off
For regular members
- 1-2 items → No discount
- 3-4 items → No discount
- 5-9 items → No discount
- 10 or more items → No discount
Volume Discount on Shipping Costs
- 1-2 items → No discount
- 3-9 items → Half off shipping
- 10 or more items → Free shipping
Many other types of volume discounts are also possible. For details, please check the service page below.
The blog article below also introduces how to set up volume discounts using RuffRuff Order Bonus. Please take a look.
How to Set Up Volume Discounts Using the Discount Feature
How to Apply a Volume Discount to All Products
This time, we'll create a discount where "5% off applies when purchasing 2 or more items, and 10% off applies when purchasing 3 or more items."
Since we want to apply the volume discount to all products in the store, we'll use the "Amount off order" discount type.
Step 1: Issue an Automatic Discount for 5% Off with 2 or More Items
(1) Click "Discounts" from the Shopify admin
(2) Click "Create discount" on the discounts list page
(3) From the popup that appears, select "Amount off order"
(3) Select "Automatic discount" for the method
(4) Enter any discount name in the title field
* What you enter here will be shown on the checkout page.
(5) In the discount value section, select percentage
(6) Enter 5 in the input field on the right
(7) In the minimum purchase requirements section, check "Minimum quantity of items"
(8) Enter 2 in the input field below
(9) In the active dates section, set the period you want to run the discount
(10) Click "Save discount"
Note: Since we want to switch which discount applies depending on the quantity, be careful not to check "Combine with order discounts" this time. If you check it, all discounts that meet the conditions will be applied at the same time, so please be careful.
Step 2: Issue an Automatic Discount for 10% Off with 3 or More Items
Following the same steps as Step 1, let's issue an automatic discount for 10% off with 3 or more items.
(1) Click "Discounts" from the Shopify admin
(2) Click "Create discount" on the discounts list page
(3) From the popup that appears, select "Amount off order"
(4) Select "Automatic discount" for the method
(5) Enter any discount name in the title field
* What you enter here will be shown on the checkout page.
(6) In the discount value section, select percentage
(7) Enter 10 in the input field on the right
(8) In the minimum purchase requirements section, check "Minimum quantity of items"
(9) Enter 3 in the input field below
(10) In the active dates section, set the period you want to run the discount
(11) Click "Save discount"
Note: Since we want to switch which discount applies depending on the quantity, be careful not to check "Combine with order discounts" this time. If you check it, all discounts that meet the conditions will be applied at the same time, so please be careful.
Step 3: Check the Behavior
Finally, let's check that it works as intended.
(1) With 1 item added to the cart, go to the checkout page
(2) Confirm that no discount is applied
(3) With 2 items added to the cart, go to the checkout page
(4) Confirm that the 5% off discount is applied
(5) With 3 items added to the cart, go to the checkout page
(6) Confirm that the 10% off discount is applied
Once you've confirmed the automatic discounts are working as intended, the setup is complete.
How to Apply a Volume Discount to a Specific Product
This time, we'll create a discount where "5% off applies when purchasing 2 or more of a specific product, and 10% off applies when purchasing 3 or more."
Since we want to apply the volume discount to a specific product only, we'll use the "Amount off products" discount type.
Step 1: Issue an Automatic Discount for ¥100 Off with 2 or More Items
(1) Click "Discounts" from the Shopify admin
(2) Click "Create discount" on the discounts list page
(3) From the popup that appears, select "Amount off products"
(3) Select "Automatic discount" for the method
(4) Enter any discount name in the title field
* What you enter here will be shown on the checkout page.
(5) In the discount value section, select fixed amount
(6) Enter 100 in the input field on the right
(7) Under "Search products," add the product you want to apply the volume discount to
(8) Check "Once per order"
Note: Checking this box means the discount will be applied only once per order, even if the condition is met. If you leave it unchecked, the discount will be applied once for each unit of the specific product in the cart, so please be careful.
(9) In the minimum purchase requirements section, check "Minimum quantity of items"
(10) Enter 2 in the input field below
(11) In the active dates section, set the period you want to run the discount
(12) Click "Save discount"
Note: Since we want to switch which discount applies depending on the quantity, be careful not to check "Combine with product discounts" this time. If you check it, all discounts that meet the conditions will be applied at the same time, so please be careful.
Step 2: Issue an Automatic Discount for ¥200 Off with 3 or More Items
Following the same steps as Step 1, let's issue an automatic discount for ¥200 off with 3 or more items.
(1) Click "Discounts" from the Shopify admin
(2) Click "Create discount" on the discounts list page
(3) From the popup that appears, select "Amount off products"
(4) Select "Automatic discount" for the method
(5) Enter any discount name in the title field
* What you enter here will be shown on the checkout page.
(6) In the discount value section, select fixed amount
(7) Enter 200 in the input field on the right
(8) Under "Search products," add the product you want to apply the volume discount to
(9) Check "Once per order"
Note: Checking this box means the discount will be applied only once per order, even if the condition is met. If you leave it unchecked, the discount will be applied once for each unit of the specific product in the cart, so please be careful.
(10) In the minimum purchase requirements section, check "Minimum quantity of items"
(11) Enter 3 in the input field below
(12) In the active dates section, set the period you want to run the discount
(13) Click "Save discount"
Note: Since we want to switch which discount applies depending on the quantity, be careful not to check "Combine with product discounts" this time. If you check it, all discounts that meet the conditions will be applied at the same time, so please be careful.
Step 3: Check the Behavior
Finally, let's check that it works as intended.
(1) With 1 discount-eligible product added to the cart, go to the checkout page
(2) Confirm that no discount is applied
(3) With 2 discount-eligible products added to the cart, go to the checkout page
(4) Confirm that the ¥100 off discount is applied
(5) With 3 discount-eligible products added to the cart, go to the checkout page
(6) Confirm that the ¥200 off discount is applied
(7) With 2 non-eligible products added to the cart, go to the checkout page
(8) Confirm that no discount is applied
Once you've confirmed the automatic discounts are working as intended, the setup is complete.
The Difference Between Coupon Codes and Automatic Discounts
When setting up a volume discount using the discount feature, you need to choose the discount method from either "coupon code" or "automatic discount."
Each has the differences shown in the table below. For example, if you want to apply a volume discount only to specific members, you'll need to choose a coupon code.
Understand the differences before choosing the right method.
| Discount Method | Automatic Discount | Coupon Code |
|---|---|---|
| Timing of discount application | Applied automatically once conditions are met | Applied once the customer enters the coupon code at checkout and the conditions are met |
| Available conditions | - Purchase type - Purchase amount - Purchase quantity - Customer segment - Specific customers |
- Purchase type - Purchase amount - Purchase quantity - Customer segment - Specific customers |
| Usage limits | - | - Total usage limit - Usage limit per customer |
| Active period | - Start date/time - End date/time |
- Start date/time - End date/time |
This comparison covers only the "Amount off products" and "Amount off order" discount types, which are the ones used for volume discounts.
If you'd like to check the differences between coupon codes and automatic discounts for other discount types, please refer to the blog article below, which explains this in detail.
Conclusion
A volume discount is an effective promotional technique that gives customers a sense of value while helping merchants boost sales and improve inventory turnover. On Shopify, you can set one up easily and at no extra cost by using the native discount feature. And if you need more complex conditions or more flexible discount settings, a dedicated app can handle that as well.
Using the steps introduced in this article as a reference, set up volume discounts on Shopify and aim to increase customer satisfaction while boosting sales. In particular, tailoring your discount settings to your target customers and products can help you achieve an even more effective sales strategy.
If you're unsure about the setup or ongoing operation, make use of Shopify support and related blog articles as you move forward. By making good use of volume discounts, you can open up new possibilities that contribute to the growth of your business.
Finally, the blog article below introduces some of the most representative discount strategies available on Shopify. Find the strategy that's the perfect fit for your store and get a head start on boosting your sales.
