Management Center: Creating a buy catalog entries from category X, get a percentage off catalog entry Y promotion

Create a buy catalog entries from category X, get a percentage off catalog entry Y promotion
This promotion type gives a percentage discount on a catalog entry when an order includes catalog entries from a specified category.
Promotion summary
Purchase condition Order contains a specified number of catalog entries from a category.
Reward A percentage off different catalog entries.
Example of a promotion that is based on this promotion type Buy two or more items from the Table Glasses category, get two Milton wine glasses at 10% off each.

Task info

When a customer qualifies for this promotion, the customer might have extra catalog entry X or Y in the cart beyond what is required to qualify. The promotion engine uses a ratio to determine whether the excess catalog entries from category X or category Y qualifies for extra applications of the promotion. The quantities of catalog entries that a customer must have in their shopping cart to qualify for the promotion is used to create this ratio. For example, consider a promotion where a customer must have 3 catalog entries from category X to get 1 catalog entry Y at a 10% discount. The following table summarizes how the ratio of 3:1 is used to determine how the promotion is applied. The table illustrates when a customer has more than 3 catalog entries from category X and 1 catalog entry Y in their shopping cart:

Number of catalog entries from category X in customer shopping cart Number of catalog entries from category Y in customer shopping cart Result
6 2 The 3:1 ratio is met exactly twice. Both Y catalog entries are discounted 10%.
6 4 The 3:1 ratio is met twice, with 2 Y remaining. Two Y items are discounted, while the remaining two Y catalog entries are not discounted and are sold at regular price.
8 3 The 3:1 ratio is still only met twice, with 1 Y remaining. Two Y catalog entries are discounted, while the remaining Y is not discounted and is sold at regular price.

Procedure

Open the Promotions tool.
From the toolbar, click New > Promotion. The Promotion Type Selector window displays.
In the left pane, select the Category promotions folder.
In the right pane, select Buy catalog entries from category X, get a percentage off catalog entry Y. Click OK.
In the Promotion Properties section, define general information about the promotion:

Option Description
Administrative name Type a name that uniquely identifies the promotion. This name is displayed in the Promotions tool to identify the promotion.
Redemption Method
Select the redemption method that customers must use to apply the promotion to their order. We can choose from the following options:
Combination with other promotions Select the degree to which multiple promotions can be combined. We can choose from the following options:
Combine with other promotions

This promotion can be combined with all other promotions in an order; however, the following promotion policies apply:

For catalog-entry promotions: If this promotion is applied to an item, no other catalog-entry promotions can be applied to the item.
For shipping promotions: If this promotion is applied to an item, no other shipping promotions can be applied to the item.
For order promotions: If this promotion is applied to the order, no other order promotions can be applied to the order.

Combine with other promotions stackable

This promotion can be combined with all other promotions in an order. In addition, this promotion can be stacked on top of other promotions in the same group, which overrides certain promotion policies. Specifically:

For catalog entry promotions: If a catalog-entry promotion is already applied to an item, then this type of promotion is applied on top of the existing promotion.
For shipping promotions: If a shipping promotion is already applied to an item, then this type of promotion is applied on top of the existing promotion.
For order promotions: If an order promotion is already applied to the order, then this type of promotion is applied on the top of the existing promotion.

The priority of promotions determines whether a stackable promotion applies to an order. If an order qualifies for multiple promotions in the same group, the promotion with the highest priority is applied first. If subsequent promotions are stackable, then those promotions are applied in order of priority.

Exclusive within the same group

If a promotion with this setting is applied, no other promotions from the same promotion group can be applied to the order. For example, if this promotion is a catalog-entry promotion, no other catalog-entry promotions can be applied to the order. This setting still follows priority rules.

Exclusive within an order

If a promotion with this setting is applied, no other promotions can be combined in the order. This setting still follows priority rules.

For more information about the degree to which promotions can be combined, see Combine active promotions
Priority Select the priority for the promotion. We can assign a number between 0 (lowest) and 1000 (highest). When a single order qualifies for multiple promotions from the same promotion group, the promotion with the highest priority is evaluated first. If the customer qualifies, the promotion is applied. In cases where multiple promotions are permitted, the promotions are evaluated and applied in order according to their decreasing priority values. For example, consider a store that offers two order-level promotions:

Get 10% off your order - priority is set to 1
Get $15 off orders over $100 - priority is set to 10
If a customer's order qualifies for both, then only the second promotion is applied. The second promotion has the higher priority of 10 and a single order can qualify for only one order-level promotion.

In the Purchase Condition and Reward section:

Optional: In the Target payment type list, select a payment type. The customer must pay for the entire order by using that payment type to qualify for the promotion. The list includes all the supported payment types in the store.
In the Categories for "X" table, enter the name of the category to which qualifying catalog entries must belong. We can either enter the category name and click Find and Add, or click the
Show utilities view icon to open the utilities view, and then search or browse for the appropriate category. To exclude a category or subcategory from the promotion, add the category to the table; then select the check box in the Exclusion column.
Optional: In the Attributes of catalog entries for "X" table, specify the attributes that "X" must possess to qualify for the promotion. For example, we can specify that the promotion applies only to catalog entries that have a Manufacturer attribute with a value of either Thiscompany or Thatcompany. Use attributes and values that are already defined in the Catalogs tool. For details on completing the table, see Specifying catalog attributes in promotion purchase conditions.
In the Attributes for catalog entries table, specify the attributes that the catalog entries must possess to qualify for the promotion. For example, we can specify that the promotion applies only to catalog entries that have a Manufacturer attribute with a value of either Thiscompany or Thatcompany. Use attributes and values that are already defined in the Catalogs tool. For details on completing the table, see Specifying catalog attributes in promotion purchase conditions.
Optional: In the Excluded catalog entries field, enter catalog entries in the selected category that can be excluded from the promotion.
In the Quantity of "X" needed to qualify for the promotion field, enter the number of catalog entries from category X that must be in the shopping cart for the customer to qualify for the promotion.
In the Catalog entries for "Y" field, specify the catalog entries that are discounted. We can either enter the catalog entry code and click Find and Add, or click the Show utilities view icon to open the utilities view. Perform a search or browse for the appropriate catalog entry. To exclude a catalog entry from the promotion (for instance, a specific SKU for a qualifying product), add the catalog entry to the table. Then, select the check box in the Exclusion column.

Catalog entries can be SKUs, products, or kits, but not bundles.
If you do not add any catalog entries to the table, the discount applies to all catalog entries in the catalog.

Optional: In the Attributes of catalog entries for "Y" field, specify any attributes that the catalog entries for "Y" must possess to qualify for the percentage off.
In the Quantity of "Y" needed to qualify for the promotion enter the number of catalog entries for "Y" that must be in the shopping cart for the customer to qualify for the promotion.
In the Percentage discount for "Y" field, enter the percentage discount to apply to catalog entries for "Y".
Optional: In the Maximum discount amount for "Y" field, enter the maximum amount of money that a customer can save on each qualifying catalog entry "Y".
From the Currency list, select the currency for the monetary values you specify in the Purchase Condition and Reward section. The list includes all the supported currencies in the store. The default setting is the default currency of the store.
From the Price adjustment base list, choose the price against which to apply the discount.
Discounted price

This option calculates the discount on the current price of the catalog entry after any previous discounts are applied.

Standard offer price

This price is the catalog entry price in the default currency for the store and is equivalent to the offer price in the Catalogs tool. This option calculates the discount on this price. Any previous discounts due to contracts or promotions that are applied to the catalog entry are subtracted from the final discount. This subtraction controls the discount received from this promotion based on any discounts that are already be applied before the price adjustment.

Contract price

This price is the price negotiated when the applicable contract was created. In stores that do not use contract-based pricing, the standard price and the contract price are the same.

This option calculates the discount on the price of the catalog entry negotiated when the applicable contract was created. Any previous discounts due to contracts or promotions that are applied to the catalog entry are subtracted from the final discount. This subtraction controls the discount received from this promotion based on any discounts that are already be applied before the price adjustment.

Expand the Redemption Limits section. The redemption limit defines the number of times that the promotion can be used, depending on the option we select.

Option Description
Maximum redemptions for this promotion Either select Unlimited, or select Set maximum redemption and then enter the total redemption limit in the Maximum redemptions field.
This option limits the number of times that a promotion can be used in total, by all customers. This option can be used to define a loss-leader style of promotion that limits redemption of the promotion to the first 100 qualifying orders. When the maximum redemption limit is reached, the promotion status changes to Suspended the next time the promotion is evaluated.
As each order is evaluated for the promotion, the limit you specify is checked against submitted orders. If multiple orders are being evaluated just before the redemption limit is reached, the number of redeemed promotions can be higher than the limit you specify.
Maximum redemptions on a single order Either select Unlimited, or select Set maximum redemption and then enter the redemption limit per order in the Maximum redemptions field.This option limits the number of times that a promotion can be used in a single order. This option can be used to define a promotion that limits the redemption of the promotion to the first 5 qualifying catalog entries in an order.
Note:

This option applies only to catalog entry level promotions. It has no effect on order level or shipping promotions.
This option applies to the following promotions:

Percentage off an order and Amount off an order order level promotions.
All catalog entry level promotions.
It has no effect on Gift with an order order level promotions or shipping promotions.
If the maximum number of redemptions is left as unlimited, the behavior is the same as when the maximum number is set to 1.

Maximum redemptions by a single customer Either select Unlimited, or select Set maximum redemption and then enter the redemption limit per customer in the Maximum redemptions field.
This option limits the number of times that a promotion can be used by a single customer. This option can be used to define a promotion that limits redemption of the promotion to a single use per customer.

Expand the Schedule section; then set the schedule for the promotion:

Option Description
Start date, End date Enter a Start date and End date for the promotion. If you do not specify a start date, the start date is set to the current server date at 12:00 AM after saving the promotion. If you do not specify an end date, the promotion is in effect until you deactivate it.
Optionally, we can specify a time of day for the Start date and for the End date. For example, we can specify that the promotion starts February 1, 2013 at 7:00 AM and ends February 14, 2013 at 10:00 AM
These fields use the time zone set in your Management Center preferences.
The Start date and End date fields define the continuous period that this promotion can be available on the storefront. To further define the schedule within this continuous period, use the Days promotion is available and Time of day promotion is available sections.
Days promotion is available If we want the promotion to be available on specific days of the week, select Selected days of the week. Then select the individual days when the promotion is available.
This setting uses the time zone for the computer where WebSphere Commerce is installed.
Time of day promotion is available If we want the promotion to be available only during a specific block of time each day, select During a specified time and then enter the Start time and End time. For example, for an early bird promotion, we can specify that the promotion starts at 7:00 am and ends at 10:00 am each day.
These fields use the time zone set in your Management Center preferences.
Keep in mind that all the schedule conditions must be met for the promotion to be available to customers. Consider the following promotion schedule:
Example promotion schedule
Setting for the Start date and End date fields Start date: December 1, 2013 at 12:00 a.m.
End date: December 31, 2013 at 11:59 p.m.
Setting for the Days promotion is available section Friday only
Setting for the Time of day promotion is available section Start time: 7:00 am
End time: 10:00 a.m.

Based on these settings, this promotion is available to customers on the store only from 7:00 am to 10:00 am on Fridays in December 2013. The start and end times in the first and third row are different, however, the promotion is available during the common window, from 7:00 am to 10:00 a.m.
If a customer that qualifies for a promotion is in the checkout process beyond the shopping cart page when the promotion becomes inactive, the customer remains entitled to the promotion. The evaluation to determine if an order or a customer qualifies for a promotion does not occur beyond the shopping cart page during the checkout process. If the customer returns to the shopping cart page, leaves the checkout process, or updates their cart, they no longer qualify for the inactive promotion.
Optional: Expand the Target Customer Segment section. In the Customer segments table, specify the customer segments to which a customer must belong in order to qualify for the promotion. We can either enter the name of the customer segment and click Find and Add, or click the Show utilities view icon to open the utilities view. Within the utilities view, we can search or browse for the appropriate customer segments. If you include multiple customer segments in a promotion, the promotion applies to customers that belong in any of the segments. The customer does not need to belong in all of the segments.
Optional: Expand the Miscellaneous section.

Target sales volume
Use this field to record the target sales objective for the promotion. This information field is only used to record the goal of the promotion and does not affect the application of the promotion to an order.

Click the Descriptions tab. Enter the descriptions as appropriate.

Option Description
Administrative description Enter a description to be used internally by your company. This description displays on the Promotions - List page in the Management Center.
Customer viewable short description Enter a short description of this promotion for display on the storefront, for example, 20% Off Dresses. The short description is typically displayed on product details and checkout pages as the text that links to the discount details page.
Customer viewable long description Enter a long description of the promotion for display on the storefront. This description is typically used in the discount details page to provide customers information about the promotion. For example, the long description might describe redemption limits, exclusions, and the time frame for the promotion.

Click
Save to save the promotion, or click Close to close the promotion editor, and return to the updated Promotions - List page. The promotion is displayed in the Promotions - List page, and its Status is set as Inactive.

What to do next
To make the promotion available on the storefront, we must activate it.

Related concepts
Promotions

Related tasks
Creating promotions
Advertising your promotions on the storefront
Changing promotions
Deleting promotions
Copying promotions
Activating or deactivating promotions
Finding promotions
Organizing promotions with folders

Related reference
Promotion type feature matrix

Purchase condition	Order contains a specified number of catalog entries from a category.
Reward	A percentage off different catalog entries.
Example of a promotion that is based on this promotion type	Buy two or more items from the Table Glasses category, get two Milton wine glasses at 10% off each.

Number of catalog entries from category X in customer shopping cart	Number of catalog entries from category Y in customer shopping cart	Result
6	2	The 3:1 ratio is met exactly twice. Both Y catalog entries are discounted 10%.
6	4	The 3:1 ratio is met twice, with 2 Y remaining. Two Y items are discounted, while the remaining two Y catalog entries are not discounted and are sold at regular price.
8	3	The 3:1 ratio is still only met twice, with 1 Y remaining. Two Y catalog entries are discounted, while the remaining Y is not discounted and is sold at regular price.

Option	Description
Administrative name	Type a name that uniquely identifies the promotion. This name is displayed in the Promotions tool to identify the promotion.
Redemption Method	Select the redemption method that customers must use to apply the promotion to their order. We can choose from the following options:
Combination with other promotions	Select the degree to which multiple promotions can be combined. We can choose from the following options: Combine with other promotions This promotion can be combined with all other promotions in an order; however, the following promotion policies apply: For catalog-entry promotions: If this promotion is applied to an item, no other catalog-entry promotions can be applied to the item. For shipping promotions: If this promotion is applied to an item, no other shipping promotions can be applied to the item. For order promotions: If this promotion is applied to the order, no other order promotions can be applied to the order. Combine with other promotions stackable This promotion can be combined with all other promotions in an order. In addition, this promotion can be stacked on top of other promotions in the same group, which overrides certain promotion policies. Specifically: For catalog entry promotions: If a catalog-entry promotion is already applied to an item, then this type of promotion is applied on top of the existing promotion. For shipping promotions: If a shipping promotion is already applied to an item, then this type of promotion is applied on top of the existing promotion. For order promotions: If an order promotion is already applied to the order, then this type of promotion is applied on the top of the existing promotion. The priority of promotions determines whether a stackable promotion applies to an order. If an order qualifies for multiple promotions in the same group, the promotion with the highest priority is applied first. If subsequent promotions are stackable, then those promotions are applied in order of priority. Exclusive within the same group If a promotion with this setting is applied, no other promotions from the same promotion group can be applied to the order. For example, if this promotion is a catalog-entry promotion, no other catalog-entry promotions can be applied to the order. This setting still follows priority rules. Exclusive within an order If a promotion with this setting is applied, no other promotions can be combined in the order. This setting still follows priority rules. For more information about the degree to which promotions can be combined, see Combine active promotions
Priority	Select the priority for the promotion. We can assign a number between 0 (lowest) and 1000 (highest). When a single order qualifies for multiple promotions from the same promotion group, the promotion with the highest priority is evaluated first. If the customer qualifies, the promotion is applied. In cases where multiple promotions are permitted, the promotions are evaluated and applied in order according to their decreasing priority values. For example, consider a store that offers two order-level promotions: Get 10% off your order - priority is set to 1 Get $15 off orders over $100 - priority is set to 10 If a customer's order qualifies for both, then only the second promotion is applied. The second promotion has the higher priority of 10 and a single order can qualify for only one order-level promotion.

Setting for the Start date and End date fields	Start date: December 1, 2013 at 12:00 a.m. End date: December 31, 2013 at 11:59 p.m.
Setting for the Days promotion is available section	Friday only
Setting for the Time of day promotion is available section	Start time: 7:00 am End time: 10:00 a.m.

Option	Description
Administrative description	Enter a description to be used internally by your company. This description displays on the Promotions - List page in the Management Center.
Customer viewable short description	Enter a short description of this promotion for display on the storefront, for example, `20% Off Dresses. The short description is typically displayed on product details and checkout pages as the text that links to the discount details page.`
Customer viewable long description	Enter a long description of the promotion for display on the storefront. This description is typically used in the discount details page to provide customers information about the promotion. For example, the long description might describe redemption limits, exclusions, and the time frame for the promotion.