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Promotional mechanics management

This article explains how to calculate refundable quantities per line item when different types of promotions are applied in Shopify, with a focus on Buy X Get Y (BuyXGetY) discounts.

Standard Promotions Management – Shopify

This article explains how to calculate refundable quantities per line item when different types of promotions are applied in Shopify, with a focus on Buy X Get Y (BuyXGetY) discounts.


Default Behavior (Standard Case)

Mandatory Return Policy for BuyXGetY

By default, when a BuyXGetY promotion is applied:

✅ Customers must return all items included in the promotion.

This means:

  • Refunds are not calculated per individual item.
  • The promotion is treated as a bundle.
  • Partial returns are not allowed.

Optional Configuration: Discount Redistribution

The cases described below apply only if an optional configuration is enabled, allowing:

🔄 Proportional redistribution of discounts across items

This enables:

  • Partial returns of items within a BuyXGetY promotion
  • Fair allocation of discounts per item
  • Calculation of refundable amounts per line item

General Principle (When Redistribution is Enabled)

  1. Identify all items belonging to the BuyXGetY promotion.
  2. Calculate the total price of those items.
  3. Calculate the total discount applied (including all promotions affecting those items).
  4. Determine each item's weight (proportion).
  5. Distribute the total discount proportionally.
  6. Subtract the allocated discount to get the refundable amount per item.

CASE I: Only BuyXGetY Discounts Applied

⚠️ This case represents the standard scenario, but redistribution applies only if partial returns are allowed via configuration.

Scenario

  • Only BuyXGetY promotion is applied.
  • No additional order-level or line-level discounts.

Order Details

  • Item 1:
    Price = 50€
    Discount = 0€
  • Item 2:
    Price = 30€
    Discount = 30€

Step 1: Identify Promotion Items

All items belong to the BuyXGetY promotion.

Step 2: Calculate Totals

  • Total price = 80€
  • Total discount = 30€

Step 3: Calculate Weight

  • Item 1: 50 / 80 = 0.625
  • Item 2: 30 / 80 = 0.375

Step 4: Allocate Discount

  • Item 1: 0.625 × 30 = 18.75€
  • Item 2: 0.375 × 30 = 11.25€

Step 5: Refundable Amount

  • Item 1: 50 − 18.75 = 31.25€
  • Item 2: 30 − 11.25 = 18.75€

CASE II: BuyXGetY + Order-Level Discount + Non-Promo Items

Scenario

  • BuyXGetY promotion applied
  • Additional order-level discount
  • Some items are not part of the promotion

Order Details

  • Item 1 (BuyXGetY + Order Discount):
    Price = 50€
    Discount = 10€
  • Item 2 (BuyXGetY + Order Discount):
    Price = 30€
    Discount = 30€
  • Item 3 (Only Order Discount):
    Price = 50€
    Discount = 10€

Step 1: Select Promotion Items

Items included: Item 1 and Item 2

Step 2: Totals (Promo Items Only)

  • Total price = 80€
  • Total discount = 40€

Step 3: Weight

  • Item 1: 0.625
  • Item 2: 0.375

Step 4: Allocate Discount

  • Item 1: 25€
  • Item 2: 15€

Step 5: Refundable Amount

  • Item 1: 25€
  • Item 2: 15€

Non-Promo Item

  • Item 3: 50 − 10 = 40€

CASE III: BuyXGetY + Line Item Discount

Scenario

  • BuyXGetY promotion applied
  • Additional line-level discount on one item

Order Details

  • Item 1:
    Price = 80€
    Discount = 0€
  • Item 2:
    Price = 60€
    Discount = 60€

Step 1: Promotion Items

Both items belong to BuyXGetY

Step 2: Totals

  • Total price = 140€
  • Total discount = 60€

Step 3: Weight

  • Item 1: 0.57
  • Item 2: 0.43

Step 4: Allocate Discount

  • Item 1: 34.28€
  • Item 2: 25.72€

Step 5: Refundable Amount

  • Item 1: 45.72€
  • Item 2: 34.28€

Summary

Scenario Behavior
Default (no configuration) All BuyXGetY items must be returned together
Redistribution enabled Discounts are proportionally allocated
Mixed promotions Include all discounts affecting promo items
Non-promo items Calculated independently