Long Tail SKU management

[zachlegendre]

Hi, 

We sell products where a customer can select certain product, and that product will have variants. The Variants can be a physical product itself, so when a customer buys the main product and variant, I would want both SKUs to updated. Ex below. 

Product 1: GH34G

-This is a physical product that would need to ship.

Product 2: IGN1 (this would be a variant within the product GH34G)

-This is also a physical product. That we install into GH34G before shipping out. 

Under the variant the SKU would read GH34G/IGN1. I want it to where we can have these variants for a good shopping experience but also on the back end of the warehouse it would update both SKU GH34G and IGN1 when this particular variant is placed. 

Is there an app or a feature in Shopify where i can do that? The Bundles app does not work for this. 

[ProfitLabs · Accepted solution]

Hi @zachlegendre,

I understand your requirements, and this can be easily achieved using our app, Profit Bundles. To accomplish this, you first need to create a parent bundle product in the Shopify product admin. You can name it as per your preference. After that, you will need to add a composition for this bundle in the app. In the composition, you can include Product 1: GH34G and Product 2: IGN1 (this would be a variant within the product GH34G) as part of the bundle composition.

Once the customer orders this bundle, our app offers two fulfillment options:

1. Add both child items to the order as separate line items, but with a price of zero (screenshot attached for your reference).
2. Remove the parent bundle from the order and add only the child items, priced such that their cumulative value equals the retail price of the removed bundle.

We also offer free 1:1 Google Meet sessions with our in-house experts. They can assist you with the setup live during the call. You can book a session directly through the app.

[zachlegendre]

Hi,

Just downloaded your app and gave it a look. I think this may work. Thank you for this. 

[Avitanshi_17]

Hi there @zachlegendre!

To address the scenario where selecting a product variant in Shopify updates the inventory for both the main product SKU and the variant SKU, you will need a solution that allows for SKU splitting and inventory synchronization. 

Unfortunately, Shopify does not natively support updating multiple SKUs for a single product variant. However, you can achieve this functionality through third-party apps or custom development.

Options to Solve This

1. Use a Bundling App with Inventory Sync While you mentioned the Bundles app doesn't work, other apps may suit your needs better:
• Bundle Builder: This app allows you to create bundles and keeps individual SKUs synchronized when a bundle is sold.
• Stock Sync: Useful for syncing inventory across SKUs. You can configure it to decrement both SKUs when the variant is sold.

2. Custom Development with Shopify Functions Shopify Plus users can use Shopify Functions or custom scripts with Shopify Flow to manage inventory. For non-Plus users, a private app or webhook can automate the process:

• Webhook for Order Creation: Create a custom script that listens for the order/create webhook. When an order containing a specific variant (e.g., GH34G/IGN1) is placed, it adjusts inventory for both SKUs (GH34G and IGN1) accordingly.
• Inventory Adjustments via API: The Shopify Admin API allows you to update inventory for multiple SKUs programmatically.

3. Apps for Advanced Inventory Management Consider apps that specialize in inventory tracking and bundling:

• Better Inventory: Helps manage complex inventory relationships, including bundles and shared components.
• Bundles Inventory by Gazebo: Keeps inventory levels in sync for components and main products, suitable for scenarios where multiple SKUs are tied to a single variant.

4. Manual Workaround with Linked Products If automation isn't possible, you can set up:

• A Linked Product System: Create separate products for GH34G and IGN1. Train your warehouse team to fulfill based on linked SKUs instead of a single SKU.
• Use Notes Field or Tags: Customize your Shopify order fulfillment process by including tags or order notes that specify the required SKUs.

Recommendation

Based on your requirements, I'd recommend starting with Bundle Builder or Bundles Inventory by Gazebo, as they’re specifically designed to handle scenarios where variants involve multiple SKUs. If these don't meet your needs, custom development using Shopify's API or Shopify Functions may be the best approach.

Should you have any more doubts, please drop me a line!