Minimum Order refers to the least amount of products, goods or services that must be purchased in order to place an order. It is typically used as a marketing technique to encourage customers to purchase more within one transaction. Minimum order thresholds can often vary according to the supplier, manufacturer or distributor and may include quantity requirements, value limits, shipping charges and other fees. Companies typically set minimum orders to ensure there is an adequate profit margin and to reduce the cost associated with processing smaller orders.