Quantity Discounts
Definition
Quantity discounts are price reductions applied when a customer buys more units of a product.
They can be tiered (e.g. buy 3 get 10% off, buy 5 get 15%) or fixed (e.g. $2 off per item when you buy 10 or more).
Good or Bad?
Good when they encourage bulk purchases and increase average order value.
Bad if they’re too complex, not clearly displayed, or reduce profit margins without strategy.
Why does it matter?
Offering quantity discounts gives shoppers a reason to buy more of the same product.
It’s especially useful for consumables, repeat-use items, or wholesale customers, it also helps you move inventory faster and boost revenue per transaction.
Common Mistakes
- Not showing the discount clearly on the product page
- Applying discounts inconsistently across variations
- Forgetting to test how they affect profit margins
How to Improve It?
- Use a pricing table to show tiers clearly
- Highlight the savings next to the total price
- Combine with minimum order rules or product bundles
Recommended Plugin
Dynamic Pricing & Bulk Quantity Discounts for WooCommerce
This plugin makes it easy to create flexible quantity-based pricing rules.
You can apply discounts per product, by category, or per cart total, and show them in a way that helps shoppers make quick decisions.
Real-World Example
You sell packs of organic soap.
The regular price is $6 per bar.
You offer:
- Buy 3 to 4 and get 10% off
- Buy 5 or more and get 20% off
A customer who planned to buy 2 ends up buying 5 to unlock the bigger discount.
Related Terms
- Bulk Pricing
- Volume Discount
- Tiered Pricing
- Wholesale Pricing
FAQs
Do quantity discounts work for all products?
Not always.
They’re best for items people might want in multiples, like food, skincare, office supplies, or accessories.
Can I apply quantity discounts to variations?
Yes.
Most advanced pricing plugins allow you to set rules that apply across product variations.
Will this hurt my margins?
It depends.
If done strategically, volume discounts can increase total profit even if the margin per item is slightly lower.
