Describe the difference between a Single Trade Discount versus a Discount Series?

A discount may be expressed as a single consolidated percentage of the total price, or at may be expressed as a series of discount percentages. When the discount is expressed as a series do discount each successive discount is calculated as a percentage of the net price after application of the previous discounts in the series.

For example let us consider a single discount of 40 percent. In this case product with full price of $100 will be sold at a price of $60 after allowing a discount of 40 percent on full price.

Against this compare a discount of 20% + 10% +10%. In this the net price of a Product with full price of $100 after application of the first discount in the series, which is 20%, will be $80. This second discount in the series which is 10% will be applicable on this net price of $80. Thus the second discount in the series discount will be $8 and net price will be $72. Similarly the amount of discount against final discount of 10% will be $7.2 and final net price will be $64.8. Thus the total discount amount works out to a single discount of 35.2%.

Companies frequently describe the discount structure as series discount make the customers feel that they are receiving more discount than they actually do. Some series discounts are linked to some specific condition of sale being met. For example, in the above example a flat discount of 20% may be given to all the customers. But the customers buying goods worth $1000 may be offered additional discount of 10%, and for customer buying goods worth $2000 or more the third discount in addition to first two may be applicable.