Cross-selling and Up-selling
Cross-selling is a strategy of providing existing customers the opportunity to purchase additional items offered by the seller. It typically involves offering the customer items that complement the original purchase in some manner. The idea behind this strategy is to capture a larger share of the consumer market by meeting more of the needs and wants of each individual customer.
The idea of cross-selling translates well into just about any business situation.
In the fast food industry, customers are often invited to try new products or established complementary items.
For example, when an individual orders a hamburger at a local fast food restaurant, the server will often ask the customer if her or she would like a side item to go with the hamburger.
If the restaurant is offering a new dessert, the server may also suggest to the customer that the new item may be a desirable complement to the hamburger.
By employing this simple approach, the server may entice the customer into making another purchase above and beyond the one originally intended.