Adding amount into basket from category page.

I run into a debate with some stakeholders today about the possibility adding "quantity" and "add to cart button" on a section/category  page for an e-commerce site selling consumer electronic.

However, I could not declare any data about my assumption:

• People have learned to view item on article page and change quantity in the check out.
• Articles bought on category pages are mostly consumables.
• Need for add more than 1 item for consumables only.

Anybody around here with data or experience on customer behavior adding amount into basket from category page?

Thanx