PIM for fashion and apparel shops on Shopware
A PIM for fashion and apparel shops on Shopware takes over the work that comes back with every collection: creating variants from colour and size, maintaining stock per size, getting images onto the variants correctly and putting the season change online in a controlled way.
- Variant generator with live preview and patterns for product number and variant name.
- Variant matrix: colours as rows, sizes as columns, price, stock or active per cell.
- Transfer images to variants and find variants without their own cover image via filter.
- Sale, clearance and collection change via bulk edit and approval workflow.
Typical data problems in fashion shops
A single shirt in six colours and eight sizes means 48 variants. With a collection of a hundred models, this quickly becomes a volume of data that is hard to maintain in standard Shopware. Typical stumbling blocks:
- Creating variants: in the standard, combinations are created via property lists and you add product numbers by hand afterwards.
- Stock per size: stock always belongs to the individual variant. Which combination has how many pieces is hard to see without an overview.
- Images: once a variant has its own images, it no longer inherits any from the main product. If the image is then missing, you often only notice it in the listing.
- Season change: the new collection should be prepared without half-finished products showing up in the shop.
- Sale: lower the prices of whole categories, set list prices and mark remaining stock as clearance.
PIM for fashion and apparel shops: features in Shopware
Generate variants from colour and size
In the variant generator you choose properties such as colour and size and click the options. One search covers groups and options at the same time. The live preview shows the first combinations with finished product number and name. Patterns such as {parentNumber}-{option1}-{option2} ensure a consistent system; default patterns are stored in the config matrix. Variant names are built per language from the translated option names. For many models at once you generate variants in bulk edit in the "Generate variants" tab.
Prices and stock in the variant matrix
From two property groups on, the PIM shows the variants as a matrix: options of one group as rows, of the other as columns. Under "Value" you choose price, stock or active and edit each cell directly. This is how you set the surcharge for large sizes, enter stock-take quantities or switch off sold-out combinations. Empty price fields inherit the price of the main product.
Images and properties on variants
"Transfer images to variants" adds the images of the main product to all variants without their own images, including order and cover image. For a single colour you upload images directly on the variant. The filter "Cover image (variants)" finds main products where a variant has no image of its own. "Transfer properties to variants" adds missing properties such as material or fit.
Sale, clearance and collection change
Bulk edit lowers prices by a percentage and sets the pseudo price as list price, which is only set if it is above the selling price. Clearance and top seller are switched in the Master data tab. For the season change you submit new products in the approval workflow; they stay inactive until an authorised person approves them together on the key date.
Typical process: create a new collection
- Define patterns: store the default patterns for product number and variant name in the config matrix.
- Generate variants: choose colours and sizes in the generator, check the preview and create the variants.
- Assign images: upload images per colour and transfer the main product images to the remaining variants.
- Fill the matrix: enter stock and differing prices in the variant matrix.
- Submit: submit the models in the approval workflow so they stay inactive until reviewed.
- Approve: approve the collection on the key date via bulk edit.
Video · 1:24 min.Create variantsSee the feature in action, with on-screen explanations.Watch video →
Frequently asked questions
How are product numbers created for colour and size variants?
Via a pattern with variables such as {parentNumber}, {option1}, {option2} or {counter}. {parentNumber}-{option1}-{option2} becomes, for example, SHIRT-RED-XL.
Can I maintain the stock of all sizes in one table?
Yes. From two property groups on, the variant matrix shows rows and columns from the options. With "Value" set to stock you enter the quantities directly in the cells.
Why is a variant image missing in the listing?
If a variant has its own images or no cover image, it does not inherit from the main product. "Transfer images to variants" supplies all variants without their own images.
How do I put a collection online on a key date?
With the approval workflow. Submitted products stay inactive until an authorised person approves them, for many products together via bulk edit.
Can variants of sold-out products be deleted safely?
Yes. In bulk edit, the scope "Only without orders" skips all variants that appear in orders.
Related guides and documentation
- Generate Shopware variants - generator, patterns and preview
- Shopware variant prices and stock - list, matrix and inheritance
- Shopware image alt texts and file names - maintain and transfer images
- Shopware product approval workflow - review first, then go live
- Variant generator in the PIM: guide - all options in detail
Try PIM for Shopware
All licence models and terms are listed on the pricing page. Want to know up front whether the PIM fits your shop and your processes? Get in touch via the contact form - we answer personally.