New PRESERVE_STANDALONE_VARIANT Strategy for the productVariantsBulkCreate Mutation

Discover the Update: Real-World Impact in Plain English

Shopify’s new update introduces the PRESERVE_STANDALONE_VARIANT strategy. Imagine you run an online t-shirt store, and you’ve just added a special limited-edition variant. Previously, when adding a bulk of new t-shirt variants, your special variant might have been inadvertently removed, but now, using this new strategy, it remains intact. This ensures special, standalone variants are preserved during bulk updates, simplifying inventory management and ensuring unique offerings remain available.

Let’s talk on Tech side

For developers, the PRESERVE_STANDALONE_VARIANT strategy is a significant enhancement to the GraphQL API. When using the productVariantsBulkCreate mutation, you can now specify this strategy to prevent the overwriting or deletion of standalone variants. This involves adding the strategy: PRESERVE_STANDALONE_VARIANT to your mutation. Here’s an example of how you can implement it:

{
  productVariantsBulkCreate(
    productId: "gid://shopify/Product/1234567890",
    variants: [
      { options: ["New Variant"] }
    ],
    strategy: PRESERVE_STANDALONE_VARIANT
  ) {
    productVariants {
      id
      title
    }
    userErrors {
      field
      message
    }
  }
}

This mutation ensures standalone variants are preserved, ideal for scenarios where specific variants must be maintained regardless of bulk updates.

Business Growth Unleashed: What This Means for Merchants

Merchants can now relax, knowing their unique product offerings won’t be lost during bulk product updates. This increases the efficiency of managing large catalogs while protecting special variants critical to the brand’s identity. It’s particularly beneficial for those who frequently release limited editions or custom items, as it eliminates the risk of accidentally overwriting or losing these profits-generating options. Ultimately, this strategy boosts management capabilities, allowing merchants to focus on strategic growth and innovative product offerings without the headache of meticulous manual checks for variant retention.

Trident Spark: Your Trusted Shopify Innovation Partner

At Trident Spark, we understand the complexities and potentials of Shopify’s platform. Our expertise ensures you harness every new tool and strategy, such as the PRESERVE_STANDALONE_VARIANT, to its fullest potential. We’re committed to empowering your e-commerce journey with tailor-made solutions, ensuring not just survival but thriving in the competitive market.

Connect with Trident Spark Today!

Looking to maximize Shopify’s capabilities for your store? Connect with Trident Spark today for expert guidance on Shopify upgrades and custom app development. Our team is ready to elevate your Shopify experience to the next level, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance.