Cross-selling, also known as upselling, involves offering a complementary product, either during or after a purchase, to increase sales by raising the total transaction amount. Originally, this technique was primarily used in physical stores, where a salesperson would suggest additional products. A classic example of cross-selling was selling a tin of shoe polish with the purchase of shoes, or suggesting a shirt or tie with a suit.
In the retail sector, cross-selling can take various forms. It can also be fully automated on an e-commerce platform, thus offering a personalized customer experience. In French, the term cross-selling is translated as “vente complémentaire” or “vente croisée,” and it differs from upselling.
A humorous and illustrative example of an extreme approach to cross-selling in a store involves a salesperson or point-of-sale advisor.