What Products Increase Basket Size?

Retail Growth Isn't Just About Attracting More Customers

Many retailers focus their marketing efforts on increasing foot traffic or driving more online visitors. While attracting new customers is important, there is another strategy that often delivers faster and more profitable results: increasing the value of each transaction.

This is where basket size, also known as average basket value or average order value (AOV), becomes a key retail performance metric.

Customers rarely plan every item they purchase. The right products, displayed in the right way, can naturally encourage them to add one or two more items to their basket—without feeling pressured.

Short Answer

Products that increase basket size are typically affordable, complementary, giftable, visually appealing, and easy to purchase on impulse. Items that pair naturally with other products, solve small everyday needs, or create emotional appeal encourage customers to spend more while improving their shopping experience.

Why Basket Size Matters

A retailer doesn't always need more customers to increase revenue.

If every shopper spends just a little more during each visit, total sales can grow significantly over time.

For this reason, experienced retail buyers don't only ask:

"Will this product sell?"

They also ask:

"Will this product encourage customers to buy something else?"

The most valuable products often support both goals.

1. Complementary Products

Products that naturally pair with existing purchases are among the easiest ways to increase basket size.

Examples include:

• Decorative lamps with matching home accessories
• Gift boxes with greeting cards
• Desk organizers with notebooks
• Home décor collections featuring coordinated colors or materials

When products are connected by theme or function, customers are more likely to purchase multiple items together.

2. Giftable Products

Gift-ready items are frequently added to a basket even when they were not part of the customer's original shopping plan.

Products with premium packaging, universal appeal, and thoughtful design perform particularly well because they can suit birthdays, holidays, thank-you gifts, or housewarming occasions.

3. Affordable Luxury

Many shoppers are willing to spend a little extra on products that feel premium without being expensive.

Decorative lighting, elegant home accessories, artistic stationery, and beautifully designed lifestyle products often fit into this category.

These purchases feel rewarding without requiring a major financial commitment.

4. Products That Create Emotional Appeal

Customers often buy with emotion first and justify the decision later.

Products that create a cozy atmosphere, celebrate travel memories, reflect personal style, or tell a story are more likely to become unplanned additions to a purchase.

Emotional value can be just as important as practical value.

5. Seasonal Collections

Limited-time collections encourage customers to buy now rather than later.

Holiday décor, festive lighting, themed gifts, and seasonal accessories often increase basket size because shoppers naturally purchase several coordinating items together.

6. Small Functional Products

Compact products that solve everyday problems are ideal basket builders.

Examples include:

• Portable lights
• Desk accessories
• Decorative organizers
• Travel-friendly home items

Their practical nature makes them easy additions to an existing purchase.

7. Conversation Pieces

Products with distinctive designs naturally attract attention.

Customers stop to examine them, discuss them with companions, and often decide to buy them simply because they are memorable.

Creative home décor, artistic lighting, and unique gift products frequently perform well because they offer experiences rather than just functionality.

8. Product Bundles

Grouping related products into ready-made sets makes purchasing easier.

Examples include:

• Reading corner collections
• Home office kits
• Relaxation gift sets
• Museum-inspired collections

Bundles reduce decision fatigue while encouraging customers to purchase more than one item.

9. Checkout-Friendly Products

Products placed near checkout counters continue to generate strong impulse purchases.

The most effective checkout products are:

• Compact
• Affordable
• Easy to understand
• Giftable
• Visually attractive

These characteristics make last-minute purchasing feel natural.

10. Products with Strong Visual Merchandising

Even excellent products benefit from thoughtful presentation.

Eye-catching displays, coordinated collections, premium packaging, and effective lighting all increase product visibility and encourage customers to explore additional items.

The way products are presented often influences basket size as much as the products themselves.

How Retailers Can Increase Basket Size

In addition to selecting the right products, retailers can encourage larger purchases by:

• Grouping complementary items together
• Creating themed displays
• Highlighting gift ideas
• Offering curated product collections
• Refreshing seasonal merchandise regularly
• Positioning attractive add-on products near checkout

These merchandising strategies help customers discover products they genuinely enjoy, making additional purchases feel helpful rather than promotional.

Expert Tip

The best basket-building products don't force customers to spend more—they make it easier for customers to discover products that naturally fit their needs.

When complementary products are thoughtfully selected and displayed, increasing basket size becomes a by-product of a better shopping experience.

Key Takeaway

Products that increase basket size are those that complement existing purchases, create emotional appeal, and deliver clear value without requiring a major buying decision. By combining thoughtful product selection with effective merchandising, retailers can increase average order value, strengthen customer satisfaction, and improve long-term profitability.

Related Articles

• What Products Encourage Impulse Purchases?
• What Makes a Product Easy to Sell?
• What Makes a Retail Product Successful?
• How Do Retail Buyers Choose New Products?
• What Products Have High Profit Margins?
• Top Home Décor Trends Retailers Should Watch

About the Author

This article was written by professionals with expertise in retail merchandising, consumer behavior, and product development. Through collaboration with gift retailers, home décor stores, museum shops, and international distributors, the team has developed practical insights into the merchandising strategies and product categories that consistently increase basket size and improve retail performance.

About DECO

DECO develops creative retail products, decorative lighting, folding lamps, and customized gift collections for retailers worldwide. Combining original design, OEM/ODM manufacturing, premium packaging, and flexible customization, DECO helps businesses build product assortments that encourage cross-selling, increase average order value, and create memorable shopping experiences.