> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.flowretail.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.flowretail.com/docs/advanced-features/subsidy.md).

# Subsidy

Let a supplier carry part of a product's cost for a period, without touching what the customer pays.

{% hint style="warning" %}
This is an advanced feature in Flow Retail, intended primarily for experienced retailers or for use after a thorough walkthrough with one of our specialists. Incorrect use may lead to serious issues, which is why proper understanding and setup is strongly recommended.
{% endhint %}

## What is a subsidy?

A **subsidy** is support from a supplier or partner that **lowers the cost price** of a product for a period, without changing what you sell it for.

The margin improves, the customer sees nothing. A subsidy never appears on a receipt or an order confirmation — it is a back-office mechanism only.

## How does it work?

A subsidy comes in two parts, and the difference matters.

The **subsidy** itself is just a name — a container, such as a supplier's campaign. On its own it does nothing.

The **amounts** inside it do the work. Each amount says: this much off, on this product, in this store, between these dates. One subsidy holds as many amounts as you need, so a single campaign can cover many products and stores on different terms.

When a product is added to an order, Flow Retail looks for amounts that are active for that product and store on that day, and stores the total on the order line alongside the untouched cost price. The cost used for margin is the cost price minus that subsidy.

{% hint style="info" %}
A product can carry several subsidies at once and their amounts add up. Within a single subsidy, overlapping amounts for the same product and store do not add up — the one with the latest start date wins. We recommend one subsidy at a time to keep this predictable.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### The amount is captured when the line is created

A line keeps the subsidy it was given when it was added to the order. If the goods are delivered later, the cost price is refreshed to the current average cost — but the subsidy is not recalculated. A line created inside the subsidy period keeps its subsidy even if it is delivered after the period ends.
{% endhint %}

## What you fill in

Creating a subsidy asks for very little:

| Field            |                                                                           |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Subsidy Name** | Required. What the campaign is called                                     |
| **External ID**  | Optional, under **Show Advanced Options**                                 |
| **UID**          | Optional, under **Show Advanced Options**. Leave it empty to generate one |

Each amount you then add to it asks for all of these:

| Field                       |                                                  |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Products**                | One or more, added by searching and picking them |
| **Stores**                  | One or more, or all of them                      |
| **Subsidy Amount**          | The amount off the cost price, per unit          |
| **From Date** / **To Date** | When the amount applies                          |

## Set up a subsidy

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Create the subsidy

Go to **Admin → Products → Subsidies** and select **New Subsidy**. Give it a name and create it.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Add an amount

Find the subsidy in the list and select **Create Amount** in its **Amounts** column.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Fill in what it covers

Pick the products and stores, set the amount per unit, and set the dates. Add as many amounts as the campaign needs.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

There is nothing to activate. An amount applies as soon as its date range is open, and stops when it closes.

## What sellers see

In Flow Client, a product with a live subsidy carries an **Active subsidies** marker in product lists. Opening the product and going to **Subsidies** shows each one with its name, amount and dates.

Product search has a **Show only products with active subsidies** filter, so sellers can find what is worth pushing.

{% hint style="info" %}
The margin shown on the product itself is the ordinary one, worked out from the full cost price. The subsidy is applied once the product is on an order line, so the improved margin shows on the order, not on the product card.
{% endhint %}

## What it does to your figures

The subsidised cost is what counts for order line and order margin, the turnover report, and the accounting export. The original cost price is kept on the line as well, so nothing is lost.

{% hint style="info" %}

#### There is no subsidy report

Flow Retail does not report on subsidies as such — there is no total-subsidy figure, no count of subsidised items sold, and no export for claiming money back from a supplier. A subsidy shows up indirectly, as a lower cost inside your turnover and margin figures.
{% endhint %}

## After the subsidy period

Once an amount's **To Date** has passed it stops applying, and new order lines use the full cost price again. Lines created while it was open keep what they were given.

*Last updated 18.09.2026*


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