In plentymarkets, multipurpose coupons are treated as a product that customers can buy in the form of gift cards. If someone has a multipurpose coupon, they can redeem it in exchange for products or services.
In contrast, promotional coupons are used for advertising purposes. If someone has a coupon, then they can redeem it to get a discount in your store, e.g. 20% off everything except garden supplies.
Even though multipurpose coupons and promotional coupons are used for different purposes, they are both configured the same way in plentymarkets. Therefore, both topics are explained here in the same chapter.
The following preparations in the plentymarkets back end are necessary to sell multipurpose coupons and promotional coupons via plentyPOS:
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Decide which items customers should be allowed to purchase with coupons.
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Create coupon items with 0% VAT, e.g. add the coupons to the products that your business sells.
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Create a campaign for coupons. Use the option Coupon variety to specifiy whether it is a multipurpose coupon or a promotional coupon.
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Link your coupon items to the campaign.
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Optional: Generate codes or save your own coupon codes in the back end.
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Optional: Create coupon templates and make them available to POS users.
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Optional: Make coupon codes available to POS users.
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More than one POS
Do you have more than one POS and create your own coupon codes? Divide the printed coupon codes between the different POS or create a separate coupon campaign and coupon items to make sure that each coupon code is sold only once.
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10.1. Creating a campaign for POS multipurpose coupons
Now, create one or several campaigns for selling multipurpose coupons in plentyPOS. You have the following options:
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You create one campaign for all coupons you sell in plentyPOS.
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You create one campaign for each coupon value.
Example: You want to sell multipurpose coupons for 10 GBP, 25 GBP and 50 GBP and a multipurpose coupon with a flexible value that POS users enter during the transaction. As such, you create 3 campaigns with the discount values 10, 25 and 50 GBP and a campaign with an amount of your choice.
If you operate more than one POS and want to use your own gift card codes it also may make sense to create separate campaigns for each POS. Proceed as described below to create a campaign for multipurpose coupons:
Creating a campaign for POS multipurpose coupons:
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Go to Orders » Coupons.
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Click on New campaign.
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Carry out the settings. Pay attention to the explanations given in Table 12.
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Save () the settings.
→ The new campaign is created and appears in the overview.
Table 12. Settings for POS multipurpose coupon campaigns
| Setting |
User input |
Campaign |
Name |
Enter a name for the campaign.
Tip: The name should contain the name of the POS and the coupon value. |
Description |
Enter a description (optional). |
Concept: Code |
Select Several codes so that each coupon code can be redeemed only once and any remaining balance is calculated correctly when the coupon is redeemed. |
Concept: Redemptions |
Select One-time redemption until the value is depleted. |
Use |
Select Single orders, Subscriptions or both. |
Minimum order value |
Do not enter a value. This is because multipurpose coupons are to be treated as a payment method. As such, they cannot be subject to a minimum order value. |
Validity |
Start date |
The date when the campaign is activated. |
End date |
The date when the campaign is deactivated. |
Code validity in weeks |
Enter 0. |
Coupon |
Coupon type |
Select Coupon. |
Coupon variety |
Select Multipurpose coupon |
Code length |
Select the number of characters for the coupon codes. |
Discount type |
Select Fixed amount. |
Discount value |
Enter the coupon value, for example 10.00 = 10 GBP
Note: Do not change the discount value once the first coupon has been sold.
Tip: This value is assigned to codes automatically when you Generate gift card codes manually in the Codes tab without entering an amount in the Value field.
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Incl. Shipping costs |
Do not activate option. |
Filter |
Items coming from price comparison portals |
SelectDo not permit because plentyPOS is not connected to a price comparison portal. |
Categories |
Select the categories in which the coupon can be redeemed. The sub-categories of a selected category are included automatically. |
Item |
Do not enter a value. This is because multipurpose coupons are to be treated as a payment method. As such, they cannot be limited to specific items. |
Clients (stores) |
Select the clients (stores) for the coupons of the campaign. |
Customer classes |
Select the customer class for the coupons of the campaign. |
Customer types |
Select the customer type for the coupons of the campaign. |
10.2. Managing coupon codes
To redeem multipurpose coupons in plentyPOS, POS users enter the coupon code. A coupon code must be present in the plentymarkets back end at the time it is redeemed.
From the point of view of POS users, the configuration options in plentymarkets result in three possible scenarios when selling coupons:
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The coupon code is generated automatically at the POS.
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The POS user is issued with a list of coupon codes for each coupon value that have been saved in plentymarkets. The POS user enters a code. The value of the coupon code is retrieved.
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The POS user is issued with a list of coupon codes that have not been saved in plentymarkets. The POS user enters a code and a value.
Find out how to configure coupon codes for these different scenarios below.
10.2.1. Automatically generating coupon codes at POS
Administratively, it is easiest if POS users generate a random coupon code when they sell a coupon via plentyPOS. When the POS order is uploaded, the coupon code and the associated coupon value are then imported to the campaign that is linked to the coupon item. The coupon code is printed on the receipt. A coupon receipt is printed (optional). In addition, POS users can write down the coupon code on a decorative coupon.
10.2.2. Working with your own coupon codes
Your administrative work increases if you want to hand out coupon codes to POS users for them to enter when they sell items. However, it also has advantages. For instance, you can create decorative coupons that already contain the coupon code or the coupon code and the coupon value. POS users can then simply hand out these coupons.
Coupon codes can be saved in the system either before they are sold or at the time they are sold.
To save coupon codes in the plentymarkets back end before selling them:
In both cases, you provide POS users with a list of these coupon codes and the coupon value associated with them.
To save coupon codes when they are sold:
In such cases, you provide POS users with a list of coupon codes. POS users enter the coupon value during the transaction. This value becomes the price at which the coupon is sold.
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Take note of creation date
You have handed out coupon codes generated in plentymarkets to POS users already and want to generate additional coupon codes? Then take note of the coupon codes' creation dates. Coupon codes are not flagged as sold in plentymarkets. To ensure that each coupon code is only sold once, only circulate the codes you created on a particular date. We recommend that you generate coupon codes in the Orders » Coupons menu and export these coupon codes to a CSV file. Filter the CSV file by the creation date, i.e. the column GeneratedOn. This leaves you with a list of the newly created coupon codes.
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10.2.3. Generate coupon codes manually
Use the coupon generator in the Codes tab of a campaign to create one or more coupon codes automatically.
Generating coupon codes with a fixed value:
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Go to Orders » Coupons.
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Click on the campaign for which you want to generate coupon codes.
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Click on the Codes tab.
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In the Generate gift card codes manually area to the left, enter the number of coupon codes you want to generate.
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Optional: In the Value field, enter the value to be assigned to the coupon code.
Tip: If you leave the Value field empty, the discount value of the campaign is assigned.
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Save () the change.
→ The coupon codes are created and added to the list of coupon codes.
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Click on Export to export the coupon codes.
→ A CSV export of all coupon codes of the campaign is created.
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Filter the GeneratedOn column of the CSV file by the current date. This results in a list of all newly created coupon codes.
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Provide POS users with the coupon codes and their value.
Note: Do not circulate duplicate coupon codes. If you operate more than one POS, either split the coupon codes or create separate campaigns for each POS.
10.2.4. Saving your own coupon codes with a fixed value
Instead of generating coupon codes in plentymarkets, you also can save your own coupon codes in plentymarkets before selling them. Valid characters for coupon codes are lower and upper case letters, numbers, underscores (_) and hyphens (-).
Saving your own coupon codes with a fixed value:
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Go to Orders » Coupons.
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Click on the campaign for which you want to save coupon codes.
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Click on the Codes tab.
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In the Enter gift card code manually area to the right, enter a code with 6 to 24 characters.
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Save the data.
→ The coupon code is saved and added to the list of coupon codes.
Tip: Use the data format CampaignCoupon to import several coupon codes at once. The Discount value is imported as the coupon value. As such, you need to create one campaign for each coupon value if you want to use the data format.
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Provide POS users with the coupon codes and their value.
Note: Do not circulate duplicate coupon codes. If you operate more than one POS, either split the coupon codes or create separate campaigns for each POS.
10.3. Activating the printing and saving of coupon receipts
A coupon receipt can be created and printed. The coupon receipt shows the following information about the coupon:
Activating printing of coupon receipts:
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Go to Setup » Client » [Select client] » POS.
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Open the POS.
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Click on the Receipt tab.
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Activate the option Print and save gift card receipt.
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Save () the settings.
→ A coupon receipt is printed when a coupon is sold or partially redeemed.
→ The coupon receipt is saved in the document archive.
→ If the option Automatic printing is activated in the plentymarkets app under plentymarkets app » Settings » POS, the coupon receipt is printed after the POS receipt is printed.
→ If the option Automatic printing is not activated in the plentymarkets app under plentymarkets app » Settings » POS, the POS user can print the coupon receipt manually after completing the order.
Note: Irrespective of the setting you select, the coupon code is always printed on the normal POS order receipt when a coupon is sold.
10.4. Creating a coupon item
Now, create one or more coupon items. Because the campaign ID is linked at the item level, you cannot use variations to create coupons. For further information about creating items, refer to the Managing items page of the manual. Only settings needed for creating coupon items are described here.
10.4.1. Creating coupon items with a fixed value
POS users are not prompted to enter a price when selling coupon items with a fixed price. This speeds up the transaction but also offers less flexibility.
When working with existing coupon codes:
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The value of the existing coupon code must match the price of the item. Thus, the coupon item must be linked to the campaign with the coupon codes of the correct values. If you create one campaign for each coupon value, each campaign is linked to one item only. If you create a campaign with different coupon values, this campaigns is linked to more than one coupon item.
Creating coupon items with a fixed value:
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Go to Item » Edit item.
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Click on New ().
→ The New item tab opens.
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Select the type Default.
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Enter a name.
Tip: The name should include the coupon value.
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Enter the content 1 piece.
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Select a category.
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Select a sales price from the drop-down list.
Note: The sales price must be linked to the order referrer of the POS.
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Enter the coupon value as the price.
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Save () the settings.
→ The item is created and opened for editing.
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Carry out the additional settings. Note Table 13.
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Save () the settings.
10.4.2. Creating coupon items with a flexible value
Coupon items with flexible value are items with a price of 0.00 GBP. You can control the price at which these coupons are sold at the POS in two different ways:
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POS users enter a coupon code saved in plentymarkets. The value of the coupon code becomes the price of the coupon.
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When ringing up customers, POS users either generate a code or save a coupon code and enter the coupon value.
Creating a coupon item with a flexible price:
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Go to Item » Edit item.
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Click on New ().
→ The New item tab opens.
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Select the type Default.
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Enter a name.
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Enter the content 1 piece.
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Select a category.
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Select a sales price from the drop-down list.
Note: The sales price must be linked to the order referrer of the POS.
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Enter a price of 0.00 GBP.
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Save () the settings.
→ The item is created and opened for editing.
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Carry out the additional settings. Note Table 13.
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Save () the settings.
→ With existing coupon code: POS users enter a coupon code of the campaign linked to this item. The item is billed at the value of the coupon code.
→ Without existing coupon code: POS users are prompted to enter a price when they place the item in the POS shopping basket.
Table 13. Item settings for multipurpose coupons with fixed or flexible values
| Setting |
Explanation |
Item » Edit item » Open item » Open variation » Tab: Settings |
Active |
Activate option. |
Limitation |
Select None. |
VAT |
Select 0%. |
Item » Edit item » Open item » Open variation » Tab: Availability |
Markets |
Select those POS at which you want to sell the coupon items from the drop-down list. |
Client |
Select the POS’s client (store). |
Item » Edit item » Open item » Tab: Fields |
Campaign ID |
Enter the ID of the coupon campaign to link the item to the campaign. |
10.5. Selling and redeeming coupon cards
Selling coupon cards with varying values directly at the POS is a simple and practical method when dealing with coupons. This allows your POS users to sell coupon cards with the individual values desired by customers directly at the POS.
To use this method, carry out the following preparatory settings first:
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Create a suitable campaign in plentymarkets.
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Set up a coupon item with a flexible value for this coupon type in plentymarkets.
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Add this coupon item to the favourites list of your POS.
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Order barcode cards with pre-printed codes. Most providers of barcode cards expect you to send a CSV file containing the individual codes that should be placed on the cards. Also, you should provide them a layout template in Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator format for the frame design.
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Use a prefix for the codes
If you add the prefix # in front of the coupon code, the redemption process will be greatly facilitated later. Using the prefix, plentyPOS will quickly identify the code as a coupon code during the scanning process. This way, you do not have to manually press the coupon dialogue button.
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The following video tutorial provides an overview of the individual steps of selling coupons.
You want to know how the sold coupons are redeemed? Take a look at the video tutorial liked below for more detailed information.
10.6. Assigning rights for selling coupons
Users with admin rights are able to create multipurpose coupons by default. Back end users must be assigned this right.
Back end type users can only see certain areas and menus in plentymarkets. This means they only have limited access to the system. If you want back end type users to sell coupons, you have to grant them the following rights:
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CRM > Campaign > Code > Show
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CRM > Campaign > Code > Create
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CRM > Campaign > Code > Delete
Tip: How to grant rights
Note that only Admin users can grant rights.
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Go to Setup » Settings » User » Rights » User.
→ The overview opens.
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Select a user.
→ The Rights menu item containing the visibilities opens.
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Assign the rights for the respective area by ticking the check boxes indicated above.
Note: You can either grant rights for complete areas or limit the rights you grant the user. To only grant limited rights in a certain area, expand the area.
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Save () the settings.
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The Rights and Menu visibilities are linked. This means that if you grant a right in one of the two areas, plentymarkets automatically grants the corresponding rights in the other area.
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10.7. Notes on selling multipurpose coupons
10.8. Notes on redeeming multipurpose coupons
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The value of the multipurpose coupon is deducted from the gross total.
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The revenue is increased by the redeemed coupon amount.
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On the Z report, redeemed coupons are shown with the payment method Gift card.
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The cash on hand does not increase when a coupon is redeemed.