Parent and Sub-Articles
Introduction
If you offer products that are available in several variants, such as different colours, sizes or styles, we recommend using parent and sub-articles.
With this structure, there is no need to create a separate main product for each variant. Instead, a parent product serves as the parent item, whilst the individual variants are managed as sub-products.
The parent/sub-item function offers greater flexibility compared to the standard variant function:
- each variant has its own stock level
- separate prices and weights are possible
- individual product images per variant
- multilingual content per sub-item
- optimal use with ERP or interface connections
The link between parent and sub-items is established via the item number.
Prerequisites
To ensure parent and sub-items are used correctly, the following settings must be enabled:
Design settings
- Open the shop administration
- Navigate to
Design → Settings → Design detail customisations → Items - Enable two-level product display
(Already enabled by default.)
Product settings
- Go to
Settings → General → Edit product - Enable the Main and sub-products option
- Save changes
Further requirements
- Each product requires its own product code
- Sub-products are automatically placed in invisible system categories
- Parent items serve exclusively as item containers
Create a parent item
Once the settings have been enabled, the parent item can be created.
- Open
Product range → Items - Click on New
Enter:
- Item number
- Item name
- Description
- Images (optional)
Important values:
- Price:
-1 - Weight:
0
Save the item.
The parent item is visible in the shop but cannot be purchased directly.
Entering sub-items
- Open the parent item
- Switch to the Variants tab
- Enter the individual variants
Details per sub-item
- Item number
- Variant name (e.g. Blue T-shirt, size M)
- Price
- Weight
- Stock level
- Optional product image
The link to the parent product is created automatically.
Recommendation:
Include the base name of the parent product in the sub-product name. This improves clarity when exporting and using interfaces.
Properties of parent and sub-items
| Property | Parent item | Sub-item |
|---|---|---|
| Item number | ✔ | ✔ |
| Name | ✔ | ✔ |
| Description | ✔ | ✖ |
| Price | -1 | ✔ |
| Weight | 0 | ✔ |
| Image | ✔ | Optional |
| Stock | ✖ | ✔ |
| Available | ✖ | ✔ |
| Parent number | ✖ | ✔ |
| Grouping | ✖ | Optional |
Linking parent and sub-items
The relationship is controlled via the item number:
- The parent item starts the item group
- Sub-items contain the parent item number as a reference
If you create sub-items directly in the Variants tab, the link is created automatically.
Alternatively, the assignment can be made via
Product Range → Bulk Updates → Bulk Item Updates.
Display in the shop
List view
In the category overview, customers see the parent item.
The shop automatically displays:
“From price” = cheapest available variant.
Product detail page
Variants can be displayed in different ways:
List view
- all variants visible one below the other
- price and availability immediately visible
Dropdown view
- variant is selected from a dropdown menu
- price, image and stock status update automatically
Grouping sub-items
Sub-items can also be displayed in groups.
Example:
Colour + Weight
- red 50g
- red 100g
- blue 50g
- blue 100g
Define grouping
- Open the sub-item
- Fill in the Sub-item group field
- Set the display under
Settings → General → Edit item
Recommended setting:
Grouped dropdown
This will display two selection fields in the shop.
Parent/sub-items with optional items
In addition to variants, optional additional items can be offered.
Structure of a complex item
Parent item
- contains general product information
- not purchasable
Sub-item
- purchasable variants
- own price and stock level
Option items
- optional accessories
- appear when added to the basket
Create new items (recommended)
New items should be created using the Duplicate function:
- Product range → Items
- Select the Duplicate icon
- Customise:
- Item numbers
- Names
- Descriptions
- Images
- Assign category
- Save as new
If necessary:
- Customise option items
- Update assignments via
Product range → Bulk updates → Option items
Edit existing items
- Open
Product range → Items - Select item
- Make adjustments and save
Control display settings
The display of variants is configured under:
Settings → General → Edit items Here you can specify:
- Display type
- Position of the variant display
- Grouped drop-down menus
When a variant is changed, the shop automatically updates:
- Product image
- Price
- Stock levels
- Product information
Administration and bulk updates
Parent and sub-products can be managed centrally via:
Product range → Product bulk updates
There you can:
- Set parent numbers
- Assign multiple sub-items simultaneously
- Link items quickly
Example: Textiles with colour and size
Textiles usually have several variant combinations.
Example:
- Colours: Red, Blue, Green
- Sizes: S, M, L
Recommended configuration:
- Colour = Item name
- Size = Sub-item group
Display settings:
Grouped dropdown + Display position within
Advantages:
- Only valid combinations can be selected
- Clear user guidance
- Automatic image adjustment for each colour variant
Recommendation:
Assign a separate product image to each colour variant.
Further help
If you have any questions or encounter any issues, our support team will be happy to assist you. To do so, please open a support ticket:
- Go to the Swiss21 portal.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right-hand corner.
- Click on ‘Support’.
- Click on ‘Contact Support’.
- Fill in the form and our support team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Support opening hours: Monday – Friday I 08:00 – 12:00 I 13:30 – 17:00