Virtual segments

Segments can be explicit records you maintain in Aforza Catalog, or virtual (temporary) definitions created when rules live directly on a promotion, assortment, or commercial policy and narrow eligibility at execution time.

Explicit segments suit durable audiences you reuse widely-for example High priority customers or Key independents. Name and document them so other administrators attach the right segment to each commercial object.

Virtual segments help when a one-off combination should not clutter the global segment library-for example beachside outlets within an otherwise broad promotion, layered on top of an explicit geography segment.

You can pair both approaches: reference an explicit segment for the broad audience, then add builder rules on the promotion or policy to require proximity, attributes, or channels that only apply to that campaign. The runtime engine evaluates the explicit membership and the extra rules together.

When you design virtual rules, test reach in the Segment Builder where available so you do not accidentally exclude most of your target accounts.