5 Products Under $10 That Customers Pick Up Without Thinking

In every convenience store, fuel station, pharmacy, or news agency, there’s one quiet but powerful force driving daily sales: the impulse buy. These are the small, affordable items that shoppers grab without planning, without hesitation, and often without even realising why. They cost less than $10, solve immediate needs, and offer quick satisfaction—making them some of the most profitable products retailers can stock.

For retailers operating in a fast-paced environment, understanding which items fall into this category—and why they work—is essential for boosting basket value and increasing overall turnover. At IPL Retail Group, after supplying thousands of retail businesses across Australia, we know exactly which low-cost products deliver reliable, consistent movement every day.

In this blog, we explore five powerful under-$10 products that customers pick up instantly, how retailers can use them strategically, and why IPL Retail Group continues to be Australia’s preferred wholesale distributor for high-rotation convenience products.

The Psychology Behind the “No-Thinking” Purchase

Before exploring the top five products, it helps to understand why shoppers make instantaneous purchasing decisions.

People buy small, sub-$10 products impulsively because:

• They feel cheap and risk-free — customers don’t need to justify the purchase.
• They solve a need immediately — such as freshening the car or charging a phone.
• They are visually tempting — placed strategically in high-traffic areas.
• They complement the primary purchase — buying fuel leads to buying sunglasses or cables.
• They offer instant gratification — a fresh scent, a new accessory, a useful tool.

These items are small but big in impact. For retailers, they are one of the easiest ways to increase revenue without increasing shelf space.

The Top 5 Under-$10 Products Customers Pick Up Instantly

These five categories consistently perform across almost every type of retail store in Australia.

1. Mobile Charging Cables & Tech Essentials

Every day, Australians forget, lose, break, or misplace their charging cables. And when the battery hits 5% while they’re out, customers don’t hesitate—they grab a new cable immediately.

Fast-moving sub-$10 tech accessories include:

• USB-A to Type-C cables
• Micro USB charging cables
• Lightning cables (for older iPhone models)
• Compact car chargers
• Travel-friendly wall plugs
• AUX audio cables

Why these products sell instantly:

• Phones are essential charging is non-negotiable.
• Drivers often need cables for navigation or music.
• Travellers and commuters encounter low battery emergencies.
• The purchase feels “practical” and “justified.”

IPL Tech, part of IPL Retail Group, supplies durable, well-packaged chargers and cables specifically designed for convenience retail displays, peg hooks, and counter placement. These products deliver excellent margin and extremely consistent rotation.

2. AeroPure Car & Room Air Fresheners

Car air fresheners are one of the strongest impulse categories in Australia. Customers don't plan to buy them—they simply see them, remember their car doesn’t smell great, and instantly pick one up.

Popular under-$10 fragrance items include:

• Hanging card air fresheners
• Vent clip fresheners
• Gel can fresheners
• Long-lasting scent cards

Why they work:

• Drivers want their car to smell fresh quickly.
• Low-cost fragrances feel like “upgrades” to daily comfort.
• Frequent replacement drives repeat purchases every few weeks.
• They appeal to both personal and gifting needs.

IPL Retail Group's AeroPure range includes popular scents like New Car, Vanilla, Lemon, Crystal Ice and Strawberry—all designed to stand out on shelf and encourage grab-and-go purchasing.

3. Sunglasses

Yes—sunglasses under $10 are among the strongest impulse products in fuel stations and convenience stores.

Why they sell without thinking:

• Drivers encounter unexpected sun glare.
• People misplace or break their sunglasses often.
• Customers like buying a spare pair for the car.
• Sunglasses feel like a “smart” extra purchase.

Sunglasses work especially well:

• At petrol stations
• In coastal areas
• In travel-heavy suburbs
• At stores with outdoor foot traffic

IPL Retail Group offers modern, stylish, retail-ready sunglasses that look premium but remain affordable—making them an easy decision for shoppers and a high-margin win for retailers.

4. Reading Glasses & Vision Essentials

Reading glasses under $10 sell surprisingly well—mainly because customers lose, break or forget their primary pair constantly.

Impulse drivers include:

• Need for urgent clarity when reading instructions, receipts or medicine labels.
• Desire for spare pairs in the house, office or car.
• Older demographics frequently visiting pharmacies and newsagents.

Retailers benefit from stocking:

• Different magnification strengths
• Simple, classic frames
• Multipack or single-pack designs

Since reading glasses are lightweight, compact and universally useful, stores stocking them typically see steady monthly movement. IPL Retail Group’s reading glasses are designed with quality lenses, modern styles and peg-ready packaging.

5. Soft Toys, Mini Gifts & Kids’ Distractions

If a child is present, something under $10 is getting bought. Soft toys and mini gifts consistently generate spontaneous purchases because:

• Parents need quick distractions for kids.
• Shoppers buy them as small, thoughtful gifts.
• They are ideal add-ons to fuel purchases.
• They feel fun, emotional and affordable.

Some of the bestselling under-$10 kids’ items include:

• Mini plush toys
• Stress balls and sensory toys
• Small novelty vehicles
• Collectible characters
• Pocket-size activity toys

These items sell heavily during holidays, long weekends, school breaks and travel seasons.

IPL Retail Group’s soft toy and kids’ novelty range is carefully curated to meet impulse behaviour—bright colours, compact size, and irresistible shelf appeal.

Why These Five Categories Drive High Sales Every Day

Each of these under-$10 products:

• Solves a need quickly
• Appeals to universal demographics
• Fits easily into any retail format
• Generates high-margin returns
• Requires minimal decision-making
• Works year-round
• Performs well in both rural and urban areas

For retailers, these items represent effortless revenue.

How to Maximise Sales of Under-$10 Products

Strategic placement is key. Here’s how retailers can boost movement:

1. Keep products at eye level

Customers scan shelves naturally at eye height.

2. Use impulse zones effectively

Place under-$10 items:

• Beside the counter
• Near EFTPOS terminals
• On gondola ends
• Next to drink fridges
• Beside car accessories

3. Group related products

Example:

• Cables beside energy drinks or mints (driver essentials)
• Air fresheners next to car-wash products
• Sunglasses near the entry
• Toys near confectionery

4. Rotate items to maintain freshness

Changing the display every few weeks keeps customers curious.

5. Use small signage

Simple phrases like:

• “Under $10!”
• “Best Seller”
• “Grab One Now”
  dramatically increase impulse grabs.

IPL Retail Group also offers peg-ready packaging, display boxes, and compact merchandising solutions ideal for these low-cost products.

Why Retailers Choose IPL Retail Group

IPL Retail Group is one of Australia’s leading wholesale suppliers, proudly serving thousands of B2B customers including:

• Pharmacies
• Fuel Stations
• News Agencies
• Convenience Stores
• Independent Retailers
• Gift & Variety Stores

Our Product Range Includes:

• Technology & Mobile Accessories
• Sunglasses & Reading Glasses
• Soft Toys & Novelty Gifts
• AeroPure Air Fresheners
• Footwear & Socks
• Lighters, Batteries & Everyday Essentials

Our mission is simple:
Deliver premium-quality products at unbeatable prices with outstanding customer service.

With a nationwide delivery network and local sales representatives offering merchandising support, IPL ensures that retailers always receive the right products, at the right time, ready to sell.

Sign up now for wholesale access:
 https://sales.iplretail.com.au/b2bsignup_registration