More Profit, Less Work: AOV Strategies That Work

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In this Five Minute Friday episode, Ashley shares powerful and practical tips to increase your Average Order Value (AOV) — without relying on more traffic or more hours. If you’re focused on growing sales, AOV is one of the most effective metrics to improve. Ashley breaks down the difference between lagging vs. leading indicators and how small shifts in your merchandising, marketing, and customer experience can lead to major gains.

From product bundling to smart styling, in-store strategy to free shipping thresholds—this episode is packed with actionable ideas to help you make more with what you already have.

More Profit, Less Work: AOV Strategies That Work

1. You Sell What You Show

Look at your marketing. Are you showing enough? If you’ve only posted three products all week, you’re not giving customers enough to fall in love with. The same goes for your storefront and website—if they feel sparse or uninspiring, your customers won’t load up their carts.

How to fix it:

Post more often. Use carousels, Facebook recaps, and re-show products in different ways.
Layer and merchandise. Your display should feel full and inspiring—not just a lonely top on a hanger.
Cross-promote. Show complementary items together: outfit pieces, matching accessories, or themed collections.

Remember, customers need to see something seven times before they buy. If you posted that candle once on a random Tuesday in February and it’s still sitting on the shelf—it’s time to show it again.

2. Master the Art of Layering

Especially in apparel, layering sells. Think of it this way: if your model is only wearing jeans and a tee, your customer’s cart will probably total $70. But if you layer with a vest, jewelry, a handbag, and a cute tumbler—they now see $200 worth of possibilities.

The goal? Style your products with intention to spark inspiration and increase cart value.

3. Create Experiences with Merchandising

Whether you’re in fashion or home & gift, great merchandising solves customer problems.
Example: Hosting Thanksgiving? Display a full tabletop setup—plates, napkins, gourmet dip, drinkware, candles, and more. Let customers see how products go together to create an experience.

People want solutions, not random products. Merchandising shows them how everything fits.

4. Test & Suggest

Quietly suggestive selling works. Anytime a customer walks in, hand them something new and say:

“We just brought this in—want to test it for us? I’d love your opinion.”

It could be a new candle scent, a cozy throw, or a trendy jacket. Get the product in their hands. It sparks an emotional connection—and often a sale.

5. Bundle, Baby, Bundle

Bundles are your secret weapon.
Have slow movers? Pair them with best-sellers. Create grab-and-go gift bundles for teachers, grads, moms, dads—whoever your customer needs to shop for.

Ready-made gifts solve a problem and make life easier for your shopper—which increases their spend and saves them time.

Need inspo? Think about stores like Claire’s (yes, the one your daughter makes you visit). They master the upsell with simple offers at checkout like “Buy 3, get 1 half off”—and it works every time.

Increasing your average order value doesn’t require more work—it requires smarter work. Show more. Style more. Suggest more. Bundle more. When you focus on what you’re doing today, you’re shaping the success of your store a month from now.

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