Can product variants cause inventory issues on Shopify?

[Amy1821]

I am new to shopify and I'm concerned the way I"m inputting products and variants will create an inventory issue.  Here is an Example:  I have 4 blankets (4 SKU's).  They are the same blanket with 4 different colors.   I have entered them as 4 different products, so you will see each one when you select Blankets from the main menu.  As the blankets are the same with different colors, I added variants to each product page as I'd like customers to be able to see their options on one page when considering a purchase.  My concern is when I go to the inventory page, It show 16 separate line items (4 products X 4 variants), eventhough I only have 4 Sku's.   I haven't received my inventory yet, but I'm concerned if I have to add the quantity to each variant, I will overstate my inventory.  Any help would be appreciated.  

[PageFly-Kate]

Hi @Amy1821 ,

This is Kate from PageFly - Landing page builder, I’d like to suggest this idea:

You can set up the variants as options under a single product, instead of creating separate products for each color. This way, you only need to manage one product listing, and all variants (color options) will appear on that single product page. When customers choose a variant, the inventory count will be automatically adjusted based on the total quantity you set for the product, and you won't have to manually update the inventory for each variant.

Hope my answer will help you.

[Amy1821]

Hi Kate,

Thanks for the reply.  As a new start up I have a limited product line, so I want to be able to show each variant separately in a product image when you select the product category from the main menu header.    (i.e. Select Blankets and 4 images appear of the blankets in different colors).  Your solution, I believe, would only enable customers to see one image and then once clicked on the product could scroll through the variants.   If I want to see all 4 images of my blanket,

the only way I've been able to figure out how to do this is to have separate products.  However if I want to show the options of the colors in each products, I end up with multiple inventory lines even-though they are the same SKU.   Is the only solution to either have 4 products with no variants or 1  product with 4 variants?  

[PageFly-Kate]

@Amy1821 

You can achieve what you're looking for by using product tags to show separate images for each variant of the product on your main menu. Here's how:

1. Create a single product with all the variants (color options).
2. On each variant, add a unique tag (e.g. "red-blanket", "blue-blanket") to identify it.
3. On your main menu header, create a link to a collection that includes only the variants you want to show.
4. In the collection settings, choose to display the products in a grid format, and select the tag that corresponds to each variant.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each variant you want to show in the main menu.

Now, when customers select the "Blankets" category from the main menu, they will see separate images for each variant, each image corresponding to a separate product tag. This way, you can display separate images for each variant while keeping the variants organized under a single product listing.

Best regard,

Kate

[Amy1821]

Hi Kate,

I am using the Dawn theme, so this is what I've done.

1.  Created a single product with 4 variants

2. I went to metafields and added to Variants Tags-Product Variant so I could add a unique tag to each variant.

3.  Main Menu has a link to the collection I want to show.

4.  My issues now is that the collection I created only allows me to select products not the variants.  So I still have the issue of only the 1 product appearing.  How do I select Variants to the collection?

Your step # 4 also didn't make sense to me.   When I select the collection I don't see settings.  I have a collection image but that allow 1 image. 

1. In the collection settings, choose to display the products in a grid format, and select the tag that corresponds to each variant.

[PageFly-Kate]

Hi @Amy1821 

I apologize for the confusion in my previous response. Unfortunately, the Dawn theme does not natively support displaying individual variants in a collection, only the main product image.

Another option is to create separate collections. Each collection can have its own product image, and you can display the products within each collection in a grid format to match the desired display

[Amy1821]

I'm still not clear how having separate collections would work.  I can upload products to a collection but not variants.  So I'm not sure how the separate collections would display the variants.  Are there apps that would help with this, or other themes that would enable this?

[PageFly-Kate]

You could search for "see product variant" in the Shopify App Store to find a suitable app for your needs. Popular option i see is Variator: See Product Variants

I hope this helps!

[tandemcoop]

How does the inventory part of this work?  I can't see a way to set the inventory for the product instead of the variants...

[EasifyApps]

Hi @Amy1821,

Is your situation akin to the following scenario: A store offers T-shirts in various designs, with each design treated as a distinct product. Yet, all these products draw from the common inventory of blank T-shirts in sizes S, M, and L. The blank T-shirt is printed upon receiving an order.

If your circumstances align with this description, the Easify Product Options app is a potential solution for resolving your challenges. If you be interested, just let me know, and I can provide guidance on how to set it up effectively 🤗.

[byadiperetz]

There an answer to the problem? I have the same problem.

[EasifyApps]

Hi @byadiperetz,

You can utilize the Easify Product Options app to establish cross-product links among relevant items, without the need to merge them into a single product using Shopify variants. Here's how: start by opting for Image Swatch, Color Swatch, or Dropdown option types to showcase other related products as custom options. Then, activate the Option URL feature to incorporate corresponding product links for each option.

On the product page, it will appear as if you're switching among regular Shopify variants, but in reality, you're switching among different products.

Take a look at this demo for a clearer understanding:

Below is the in-app setup of the demo:

Let me know the details of your products, and I can advise you on how to configure them with the app. Alternatively, feel free to reach out to the Easify team via the in-app live chat for assistance 🤗.

[Amy1821]

I ended up having to get an app called Variator.