What are effective ways for brands to cross-sell or bundle limited SKUs to increase average order value?

With just a few SKUs live on quick commerce apps, how do you push basket sizes without drowning in complexity? 

It’s certainly not about more products; it’s about smarter combinations. 

Here’s how brands can collaborate with Q-Com platforms in leveraging limited inventories to boost AOV by a significant percentage:-

1. The "Indian Occasion Bundle" (Sell Context, Not Products): Brands in collaboration with Q-Com platforms can pull off some amazing bundle offers that help skyrocket the POs. For instance, Monsoon Magic or Chai-Time Combos: Pairing Maggi + Ready-to-Eat Soups + Paper Boat Aam Panna as "Rainy Day Rescue Pack". Additionally, another amazing combo can be bundling Tata Tea + Parle-G + Lay's @ 4-7 PM slots (Majority of users fill their baskets with snackable items during tea-peak). 

Recently, the ICE CREAM Brand GoZero noticed something they hadn’t tracked through data. During periods, chocolate-based Go Zero SKUs were quietly becoming a comfort ritual. So, they ran a small Blinkit experiment, showing chocolate ice cream to customers buying sanitary pads.

The Outcome: A ROAS exceeding 4, a milestone that had not been previously achieved. This success was accomplished without the use of discounts or promotional campaigns, relying solely on the relevance of our offerings.

2. The "Hero + Hidden Gem" Tactic: Anchor high-demand SKUs (e.g., Dettol Handwash) with low-awareness products (e.g., Dettol Floor Cleaner) at a discount. Using the platforms' "Frequently Bought Together" section helps hijack visibility. 

 Pro Tip: Discount only the add-on (protects hero product margins). 

3. Hyperlocal Bundling (City-Level Relevance): Offer Yakult + Muesli as "Gut Health Breakfast" in Bengaluru, targeting health-conscious users, while in Punjab, bundling Mother Dairy Paneer + Kitchens of India Gravy as "10-Min Shahi Paneer" would drive more demand & POs. 

4. Algorithm-Friendly Price Anchoring: Use magic Price Points, for example: ₹86 (impulse), ₹185 (mid-tier), ₹201 (premium). Here’s what Zepto offered: A combo of Too Yumm! Bhoot Chips & Diet Coke Can (300ml) priced @ Rs. 86 & not Rs. 100.

For brands, it is essential to adopt this psychological hack: "Rs 86 vs Rs 100" feels like a steal; Zepto’s algorithm labels it as a "High-Value Deal."

Avoid These Blunders:

- Forced Pairings: Don’t bundle Coffee with Shampoo (no logical link). 

- Static Bundles: Rotate packs weekly using Blinkit/Instamart’s promo calendar (e.g., tie to IPL, exams). 

Final Tip:

Q-Com bundles aren’t about discounts, they’re about solving micro-moments. A customer ordering Red Bull at 11 PM doesn’t need "20% off”; they need Red Bull + Chips + Cookies in one tap. 

Need Help? We at RevQ help engineer high-AOV bundles for Indian brands on Q-Com platforms, turning limited SKUs into revenue engines. 

DM "BUNDLE" to connect with us.