Manage variants and inventory

Variants let one product have multiple sellable versions. Each variant can represent a different size, color, model, pack count, storage capacity, material, or configuration.

Use variants when the customer should stay on one product page but choose between options. Do not create separate products for every option unless each option is truly a different product family.

When to use variants

Use variants when customers should stay on one product page but choose between options. Common examples include:

• Color
• Size
• Storage capacity
• Flavor
• Bundle or pack size
• Material

Variant inventory

For physical goods, each variant should map to the correct warehouse item or stock record. This prevents one variant from borrowing stock from another.

Example: a shirt product may have variants for black small, black medium, and blue medium. Each variant can have its own SKU and stock quantity.

Warehouse is the stock source

Store Front shows customers what can be purchased. Warehousing tracks the physical stock. When the product is linked to warehouse inventory, use warehouse receiving, audits, and stock pages to update quantity instead of treating the storefront as a separate stock system.

Step-by-step variant setup

1. Open the product form.
2. Enable variant behavior when the product needs selectable options.
3. Define the option names, such as color, size, or pack size.
4. Create the sellable variant combinations.
5. Give each variant a clear SKU when the business uses SKU tracking.
6. Add variant-specific images when the option changes the product visually.
7. Set the price for each variant when prices differ.
8. Link each variant to the correct warehouse item or stock behavior.
9. Confirm every active variant has enough stock before publishing.

How variants appear to customers

Customers see variants on the product detail page. A clear variant setup helps them choose the right item without leaving the page. If variant labels are confusing, customers may order the wrong item or abandon checkout.

Inventory rules to follow

• Keep variant names clear and customer-friendly.
• Use a unique SKU per variant when the business tracks SKUs.
• Add images for visual variants such as color.
• Confirm stock before publishing.
• Update stock from warehouse workflows when possible.
• Use warehouse audits when product availability looks wrong.

Related docs

• Inventory Items
• Inventory Audits
• Receiving Orders
• Manage Orders