Digital Marketing Specialist
Does your BFCM sales spike quickly disappear, leaving you with a list of one-time buyers who never return? That’s a common pain point we see when brands rely solely on discounts, attracting customers who are loyal to the deal, not the brand. We’re sharing our proven “bundle + free gift” framework to help you not only drive record sales but also use the opportunity to build genuine, long-term customer relationships. Let’s see what we bring today!
From our experience managing hundreds of BFCM campaigns, we’ve found a simple truth: discounts alone are no longer enough. The strategy that consistently delivers a higher ROI is the “bundle + free gift” model, and the success of Irish skincare retailer SkinShop.ie is a perfect case study.
SkinShop.ie’s managing director, Emma Gunning, shifted their strategy from simple discounts to high-value gift with purchase (GWP) offers, and the results were transformative. Offering valuable free gifts, such as a premium 15ml serum, with the purchase of a product bundle helped them generate over €300,000 in revenue. During their BFCM campaign alone, this approach drove €60,000 in sales.
This strategy works because it shifts the customer’s mindset from “saving” to “gaining.” As Emma explains, a free gift “eliminates the need to discount all the time” while adding real value. Instead of just lowering a price, you’re creating a premium, curated package. This not only boosts your AOV through the bundle but also allows you to strategically introduce customers to new products, turning a single BFCM transaction into a long-term loyal customer.
Not all bundle offers are created equal. Depending on your products and goals, you can structure your “bundle + gift” promotion in a few different ways.
Since Shopify’s native tools can’t handle these more complex offers, you’ll need a specialized app. We’ll be using the BOGOS: Free Gift & Bundles app for these guides, as it allows you to easily create all three formats we recommend below.
With this format, customers buy a pre-selected bundle of products and automatically receive a gift: a physical product or free shipping. It’s easy to set up, making it perfect for spotlighting seasonal gift sets or pairing high-margin items with samples.
It’s best for merchants who want to promote specific bundles, increase exposure for a new product, or keep the customer journey as simple as possible.
Here is how you can set this bundle up using the BOGOS app: How to Add a Free Gift With a Bundle on Shopify?
This format empowers customers by letting them choose their own products from a pre-selected collection. Once they add a certain number of items to their bundle, they unlock the free gift.
Here, you’ll create a dedicated landing page where customers can mix and match items. As they add products, a progress bar or checklist shows them how close they are to earning the reward.
This is our step guide using BOGOS.
Step 1: Go to the Bundle type template screen and select the Bundle page.
Step 2: Fill in the bundle page information.
Step 3: Structure the bundle steps.
Step 4: Configure the discount.
Step 5: (Optional) Create a branded code like BUNDLEGIFT to make the promotion easier to remember and share.
Step 6: Review the Bundle Page Summary on the right panel. It shows steps, products, and discounts in real time. When everything looks correct, click Publish.
Now customers can build their own bundle, and once they meet your set conditions, they’ll automatically get the free gift or free shipping reward
Don’t let Shopify’s limitations hold back your BFCM sales. The BOGOS app is the all-in-one solution for creating the advanced bundle and free gift promotions discussed in this guide. Try it now to unlock powerful features and give your customers offers they can’t resist.
Start promoting your BFCM bundle offers 2 to 4 weeks in advance. Begin with teasers and email sign-ups to build anticipation. In the final week, reveal the specific deals and grant early access to your email list or loyal customers. This layered approach creates urgency and captures sales before the peak rush.
To avoid overselling your free gift during BFCM, set it up as a real product in Shopify, enable inventory tracking, and disable “Continue selling when out of stock.” When linked with your bundle or BOGO app, each gift added to the cart will automatically reduce inventory. Moreover, keep a small buffer stock and set rules to turn off the promotion once levels run low, so you don’t end up with refunds or unhappy customers.
A “bundle + free gift” offer is not always better, but it is often more strategic for increasing perceived value and customer loyalty. This approach shifts the customer’s mindset from “saving” to “gaining,” which can be more compelling than a percentage-off discount.
Use a free product as a reward when your goal is to increase AOV, introduce customers to new items, or move excess inventory. Use free shipping when your primary goal is to reduce cart abandonment, as unexpected shipping costs are a major deterrent.
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