Units, cases and kits: connecting purchases, stock and fulfilment

Units and conversions

Confirm whether the purchase uses individual items, cases or sets. Connect case contents, variants, stock units and sales units. Separate observed cases from checked item counts; receiving checks depend on the agreed scope.

Components and assembly

Define components and quantities per kit. In our example, 11 A and 8 B available at the same point support 5 complete kits containing 2 A and 1 B each. Check reservations, condition and channel rules. Shopify documents bundle calculations and settings affecting them.

Versions and identification

When case quantities or composition change, update instructions and confirm applicable identification. GS1 documents GTIN rules for cases and predefined assortments. Approve a sample and agree how missing components are handled. Product and transport references serve different purposes.

When case contents change

When a supplier changes case contents, retain the previous conversion and identify the purchase using the new composition. Record SKU, variant, declared items per case, instruction version and the quantity actually checked. Receipt of closed cases leaves their contents unconfirmed. Before converting that receipt into available individual units, obtain the agreed confirmation and update the instructions used by purchasing, warehouse and fulfilment teams. Keep both versions distinguishable while they coexist.

One component serves two orders

Imagine the same component is sold individually and also used in a kit. Before assembly, identify quantities reserved for each order and what remains available at the same location. Record components, variants and consumption per set. If a component is missing, separate the affected work and obtain a decision from the authorized person. The Shopify bundle example concerns that platform’s configuration; confirm your store’s inventory settings and channel rules before promising availability to a customer.

Reference: Shopify · Bundle eligibility and inventory

A return with missing components

When a kit is returned, connect the return to the order and approved composition. Record which components came back, their variants and observed condition. Do not automatically treat an incomplete set as an available kit. Obtain a decision on reusable components and any replenishment work. Update component movements and the number of kits actually completed, preserving the connection between the product reference, assembly work and transport package. Use the approved instructions for any replacement component.