MxN Discounts, or in the case of the example 3 for 2, means that if 3 items are purchased then the value of 1 item is discounted. So, effectively, the customer has only paid for two items, but receives three.
This type of discount deducts value from the total in order to offer a discount. Generally, this MxN discount will subtract the amount that corresponds to the value of (M-N) units.
It is possible to subtract units rather than the monetary value of the unit using the discount type "Based on units".
In order to offer this type of discount, you need to go to the icon Discounts and New Discount
A pop up window will appear where you will be required to fill in the Name and set up which languages the offer will be available in. Then click on Next.
Another window will appear showing different Types of discounts. In this case, in order to offer the discount in question, select the option MxN and Next
In the next window you can select the Condition for this discount. To do this, select the Add Condition button.
A pop up window will now appear where you can choose from the different Types of Conditions displayed. For example, in this case, as you wish to choose 3 for 2 for a certain category of products. Then you select the option using Select Products then Next.
In the next window you select the category of product to which you want this discount applied. In our example we have selected Electronics. You must also choose whether the discount will be applied when purchasing any product item included in the selection (individual product) or whether it only applies when purchasing a set of all the products included in the selection (multi-product purchase). In the case of our example Individual Product has been selected. Now click on the Finish button.
Once you have added the condition, click on the Done button.
In the next window you can introduce the units bought and define which of them will be paid for. In the example being used this would be a 3 for 2. That is, if you buy 3 units, you only pay for 2.
You will also need to choose whether you are grouping products together. For example, as we have selected the Electronics category for the 3 for 2 discount with the option Do Not Group Products Together the purchaser will have to buy 3 units of the same product to get the discount, whereas with the option Group Products Together, they can buy 3 units of any product in this category and receive the discount. In this case we need to select Do Not Group Products Together then Next.
As each product can have a different price, the option Group Products Together allows you to choose which products will be discounted depending on which is more expensive and which is cheaper.
Finally we need to select if we want to activate the discount immediately or decide when it will be applicable. In the lower pane of the window a short description of this type of discount will appear.