The validity defines when the discount is active. It's the "When is it active?" step in the wizard. You have four modes.
Always
No date limit. The discount is active as long as it's turned on. This is normal for permanent rules, such as volume tiers.
Date range
Between a start date and an end date. Ideal for seasonal clearances or promos with a clear beginning and end. If the start date is in the future, the discount is scheduled and the store announces it ahead of time with an "Available from…".
Recurring
Repeats according to a pattern. You can combine several criteria (all are met at once):
- Days of the week: e.g. Saturdays only, or Monday to Friday.
- Days of the month: e.g. the 1st through the 5th.
- Months: e.g. December only.
- Time window: e.g. 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (the classic "lunch hour" promo).
Examples: "Saturdays all day", "Monday to Friday, 9 to 12", "the first 5 days of each month".
Calendar
Specific dates, each with its own start and end window. Designed for events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or special dates for your business. You can load several dates into the same rule.
Time zone
Validity is evaluated in your business's time zone, so "Saturdays" or "1 to 3 PM" are calculated according to your local time.
Scheduled: announce in advance
When a discount is about to start, the store can announce it ahead of time to build anticipation ("Starts Saturday"). The customer sees it as an upcoming opportunity. See How your customer sees it.
Tips
- For Black Friday, use Calendar with the exact date; that way you don't have to remember to turn it off.
- For urgent promos, a Range with a near end date creates urgency ("until 4/30").
- Combine validity with audience for highly targeted promos: "Saturdays, for new customers only".
- Check in the Simulator that the rule applies on the date/time you expect (you can simulate a future moment).