Layers
Layers
Which discounts will apply and which won'tLayering discounts primarily aims to control how discounts are applied when multiple are active. This includes determining which discounts will apply and the impact of exclusive layers.
This page assumes you have basic knowledge of the EVA promotion engine. If you are unfamiliar, please review the Introduction to Promotions.
Adding a layer
Adding a discount layer can be done from the Promotion engine chapter overview by clicking the top most '+' icon.
You will need to provide the Name of the layer and specify if it is Exclusive.
To modify an existing layer, simply click on it. You can then edit the Name, change its Exclusivity status, or Delete the layer.
Multiple Layers
Having multiple layers is possible and for that, consider the following key points:
Exclusive Layer
An Exclusive layer ensures that if a discount is applied from this layer, no other discounts from the same or different layers can be combined with it. Customers will receive either the exclusive discount alone or a combination of discounts from other non-exclusive layers, whichever offers the best savings.
One Discount per Layer per Order
Typically, each layer contributes one discount to an order. Exceptions occur when multiple discounts from the same layer apply to specific products. This scenario, known as Product claiming, involves discounts tailored to individual products or product sets, such as Pick a Product or Product sets.
Discounts in an exclusive layer do not allow for product claiming.
First Product Level then Order
The promotional engine prioritizes discounts affecting individual products before considering those that apply to the entire order. IThe engine will then select the optimal discount combination to benefit the customer.
Layering Examples
These examples illustrate how the promotion engine manages various scenarios with layering, including the use of exclusive layers and the sequence of product-level and order-level discounts.
The scenarios presented here are straightforward and intended for clarification purposes. However, the complexity of your discounts can be limitless.
Scenario #1
Order: A customer order for $50 is being placed which includes 2 items (item 1: $30 - item 2: $20).
Scenario: You have 3 layers as follows:
| Layer number | Discounts included | Exclusive (Y/N) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discount a: A fixed $5 discount on orders above $40 | Y |
| 1 | Discount b: A 20% discount on orders above $40 | Y |
| 2 | A 5% discount on item 1 | N |
| 3 | A $2 discount on item 2 | N |
Promotion engine: The best possible outcome for the customer would be to apply all 4 discounts. However, the discounts in layer 1 are exclusive, which means that if the best outcome for the customer falls in that layer, no other discounts can be applied or combined from that same layer or any other. Therefore, it becomes a matter of determining which discount from layer 1 is the most beneficial when compared to the other discounts from the remaining layers.
What the promo engine will do in this scenario:
- Step 1: The engine takes note that "Layer 1" is exclusive which means that only one discount from all available discounts can be applied if one from that layer is chosen.
- Step 2: Check for product level discounts (Promo engine always checks for product level discounts first then moves on to Order level discounts).
- Step 3: The engine takes note that the best product level discount(s) outcome is a combination of 2 discounts. The ones from layer 2 & 3, giving a combined discount value of $3.5 ($1.5 from layer 2 and $2 from layer 3).
- Step 4: The engine will then compare this discount value to all other possible discount(s) to derive the most beneficial outcome for the customer. In this scenario, that would be the ones in "Layer 1" since there are no more discounts in "Layer 2" or "Layer 3" remaining.
- Step 5: The engine will derive that in "Layer 1", "Discount b" provides a higher discount compared to "Discount a" ("a" gives $5 off while "b" would give $10 off).
- Step 6: The engine concludes the comparison process by deriving that both discounts in "Layer 1" (individually) are more beneficial to the customer (each giving more discount than $3.%). Thus, eliminating the discounts from "Layer 2 & 3" as possible choices to apply to the order.
- Step 7: Knowing that "Layer 1" is exclusive, if a discount from that layer is applied, no other discount can be used from the same layer or any other. The engine applies "Discount b", providing a $10 discount ($50 x 20%) since it's the best possible option for the customer compared to everything else.
- Step 8: Conclude the process by requesting the customer to pay $40. The applied discount: Discount "b" from "Layer 1".
Extended assumption: Assume "Layer 1" is not exclusive, as initially given. From Step 7 onwards, the engine would change its actions as follows:
- Step 7: The promo engine will apply product level discounts first and thereafter, apply the discounts on order level if still applicable. In our scenario, our order value was $50, apply the product level discounts to it (from "Layer 2 & 3")would end up with a net value of $46.5 ($1.5 off from layer 2 and $2 off from layer 3).
- Step 8: Take the next best (non-competing) order level discount which would then be "Discount b". Since the net order value after the product level discounts have been applied is still above $40, and since 20% off from $46.5 (46.5 x 20% = $9.3) is more than the fixed $5 "Discount a" would give. The engine would apply "Discount b".
- Step 9: Conclude the process by requesting the customer to pay $46.5 - $9.3 = $37.2. The applied discount: Discounts from "Layer 2 & 3" and discount "b" from "Layer 1".
Scenario #2
Order: A customer order for $100 is being placed which consists of 3 items (item 1: $50 - item 2: $30 - item 3: $20).
Promotion engine: You have 2 layers as follows:
| Layer number | Discounts included | Exclusive (Y/N) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A fixed $5 discount on item 1 | N |
| 1 | A 5% discount on item 2 | N |
| 3 | A 10% discount on item 3 | N |
Promotion engine works: No layers are marked exclusive. Therefore, the most beneficial outcome for your customer would be to apply all 3 discounts from both layers. Keep in mind that in this scenario, all 3 discounts are not competing. By "not competing", we mean that multiple discount are not applicable on the same item. If that were the case, only the most beneficial to the customer would have been the one applied.
The applied discount: Discount from layer 1 and 3.
Two discounts from the same layer were applied in this scenario. This is possible because the layer was not exclusive, and the two discounts did not compete/impact the same item.