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Child SKU Management

Overview

A Child SKU represents an individual product variant that belongs to a Parent SKU (also referred to as the main or parent product). Child SKUs are used when a product is available in multiple variations, such as different sizes, colors, styles, or other configurable options.

For example, a product may have a Parent SKU for a T-Shirt, while each size/color combination is represented by a separate Child SKU.

Child SKUs allow each variant to be managed independently while keeping all variants grouped under a single parent product.

Purpose of Child SKUs

Child SKUs are used to:

  • Identify individual product variants uniquely.
  • Maintain separate inventory quantities for each variant.
  • Manage variant-specific pricing where applicable.
  • Associate specific product options, such as size or color, with a variant.
  • Allow customers to select the appropriate variant when purchasing a multi-SKU product.
  • Keep multiple variants organized under one Parent SKU.

Parent–Child SKU Relationship

A Parent SKU represents the main product, while Child SKUs represent the individual variants associated with that product.

The relationship works as follows:

Parent SKU → Options → Child SKUs

For example:

Product SKU Type SKU Variant
Classic T-Shirt Parent SKU TS001 T-Shirt
Classic T-Shirt Child SKU TS001-BLK-S Black / Small
Classic T-Shirt Child SKU TS001-BLK-M Black / Medium
Classic T-Shirt Child SKU TS001-WHT-S White / Small
Classic T-Shirt Child SKU TS001-WHT-M White / Medium

The Parent SKU acts as the container for the product and its variants. Each Child SKU identifies one specific variant.

Important Relationship Rules

  • A multi-SKU product must have a Parent SKU.
  • Each variant should have its own unique Child SKU.
  • Child SKUs are associated with the Parent SKU through the Options tab.
  • A Parent SKU can have multiple Child SKUs.
  • Child SKUs can have their own inventory and product information.
  • Changes to a specific variant should be made on the corresponding Child SKU.
  • The Parent SKU and its Child SKUs should be configured consistently so that the product can be activated and sold correctly.

How Child SKUs Are Created

Child SKUs are created as variants of a multi-SKU product.

Step 1: Create or Open the Parent Product

  1. Log in to the Admin Panel.
  2. Navigate to Inventory.
  3. Open All Inventory.
  4. Create a new product or open an existing multi-SKU product.
  5. Open the product details page.

Step 2: Configure Product Options

Open the Options tab.

The Options section is used to define the variants available for the Parent SKU, such as:

  • Size
  • Color
  • Style
  • Material
  • Other product-specific options

The available options determine the combinations from which Child SKUs can be created.

Step 3: Create Child SKUs

For each required product variant:

  1. Define the applicable option values.
  2. Assign a unique SKU to the variant.
  3. Enter the required variant information.
  4. Save the Child SKU.

Each resulting variant should have a unique Child SKU so it can be identified and managed separately.

Step 4: Verify the Child SKUs

After saving the product:

  1. Open the Parent SKU.
  2. Navigate to the Options tab.
  3. Review the list of associated Child SKUs.
  4. Confirm that all expected variants are present.
  5. Verify that each Child SKU has the correct option values and product information.

How to Locate Child SKUs

Child SKUs of a multi-SKU product can be found from the Parent SKU.

  1. Navigate to Inventory → All Inventory.
  2. Locate and open the Parent SKU.
  3. Open the Options tab.
  4. Review the associated Child SKUs.

The Options tab displays the variants belonging to the selected Parent SKU.

Child SKUs can also be located using the inventory search functionality when searching by Child SKU, Child Name, or Product ID.

Managing Child SKUs

Once created, Child SKUs can be managed individually according to the requirements of the specific variant.

Common management activities include:

Inventory Quantity

Update the quantity available for an individual Child SKU when its stock level changes.

If the product uses infinite quantity, the inventory may display the ∞ symbol to indicate that the quantity is treated as unlimited.

Pricing

Child SKU pricing can be updated when a specific variant has a different selling price, cost, or commission configuration.

Use the Prices tab to review or update applicable pricing information.

Status

Child SKUs can be activated or deactivated.

For a multi-SKU product to become active, the required Child SKUs must also be active.

Images

Variant-specific images can be assigned, updated, or deleted where applicable.

Product Information

Depending on the product configuration, information such as the item name, quantity, price, status, and short description can be updated using the available Quick Edit functionality.

For more detailed product changes, open the product's detailed update section.

Configuration Requirements

Before a multi-SKU product can be activated successfully, the required configuration must be completed.

1. Shipping Configuration

Open the Shipping tab and:

  1. Select an appropriate shipping type.
  2. Enter the required shipping value.
  3. Save the shipping details.

2. Price Configuration

Open the Prices tab and configure the required pricing information, including:

  • Base Price
  • List Price
  • Cost
  • Price
  • Commission

Save the pricing information after making changes.

3. Child SKU Configuration

For each Child SKU:

  • Assign a unique SKU.
  • Ensure the required product options are configured.
  • Verify the Child SKU is associated with the correct Parent SKU.
  • Confirm required inventory and pricing information.
  • Ensure the Child SKU is active when the Parent SKU is intended to be active.

4. Parent Product Status

Open the Basic Information tab and set the Parent SKU status to Active.

Save the changes.

5. Child Product Status

For multi-SKU products, all required Child SKUs should also be active in the Options tab.

If a required Child SKU remains inactive, the multi-SKU product may not be activated as expected.

6. Verification

After completing the configuration:

  1. Save all changes.
  2. Refresh the product page.
  3. Return to All Inventory.
  4. Check the Status column.
  5. Verify that the Parent SKU and its required Child SKUs have the expected status.

Single SKU vs. Multi-SKU Products

Single SKU Product

A Single SKU product represents one product without multiple variants.

  • It has one SKU.
  • It does not have multiple Child SKUs.
  • It does not require the Options module for variant management.

Multi-SKU Product

A Multi-SKU product contains multiple variants.

  • It has a Parent SKU.
  • It contains one or more Child SKUs.
  • Child SKUs are managed through the Options tab.
  • Each Child SKU represents a specific product variant.

Child SKU Management Workflow

The recommended workflow is:

Create Parent SKU → Configure Options → Create Child SKUs → Configure Variant Details → Configure Shipping → Configure Prices → Activate Child SKUs → Activate Parent SKU → Verify Inventory

Following this sequence helps ensure that all required product and variant configurations are completed before the product is made active.