When creating a Bundle as A Product, you are asked to set how you want the bundle to show in the cart and order. This setting looks like this:
If you are creating a Product Mix and Match bundle, and have enabled product creation for it, it is by default the first option (Show the bundle as included products or Multi-BAP)
Let's take a look at a bundle's Product Details Page or BAP page:
We're going to explain the two options and how they are different:
1. Display in Cart
Show the bundle as included products (Multi-BAP)
When you choose this option, the items in the bundle will be shown in the cart as line items.
The discount is applied to each item in the bundle and the products in the bundle are separately visible in the cart.
Show the bundle as a single product (Single-BAP)
When set to Single-BAP, the bundle appears as a single product in the cart.
2. Product Creation and Inventory
You can view the created product on your Shopify panel by clicking on "Edit product on Shopify".
Show the bundle as included products (Multi-BAP)
When you have a Multi-BAP, the product created in Shopify is a placeholder product or a dummy product that will not actually ever be added to the cart and bought.
Instead, if added correctly, the individual products in the bundle will be added to the cart and placed on the order. Since the actual products are getting added to the cart, the inventory of the individual items will be correctly updated. However, the inventory of the Multi-BAP itself cannot be tracked.
Show the bundle as a single product (Single-BAP)
In contrast, Single-BAP treats the bundle as a distinct Shopify product.
The variants of this new product are the possible combinations of the variants in the items in the bundle.
So if a bundle is created of products T-shirt sizes (Large, Medium) and Hat colors (Blue, Black, Red), the Sinlge-BAP will have 6 variants:
Large T-Shirt + Blue Hat
Large T-Shirt + Black Hat
Large T-Shirt + Red Hat
Medium T-Shirt + Blue Hat
Medium T-Shirt + Black Hat
Medium T-Shirt + Red Hat
Variant Limitation in Single-BAP
Since Shopify has a limitation on adding variants to a product, the product of the number of variants of each item in the Single-BAP should not exceed Shopify's limit.
Examples of variant limitation
Examples of variant limitation
Example 1:
A Single-BAP with two products. The 'Collection Snowboard' has 3 variants and the Gift Card also has 4 variants. When a Single-BAP is created, the product on Shopify will have 12 variants.
Example 2:
A Single-BAP with 4 products. There are two 'Complete Snowboard' products that each have 5 variants. The Gift Card has 4 variants and the 'Collection Snowboard' has 3 variants.
The total number of variants for this product would be 5×5×3×4=300 which is greater than the current variant limit on Shopify which is 100. So it won't allow you to create a Single-BAP, you will have to create a Multi-BAP.
When an order is placed the inventory of the bundle product is handled. If the order is paid or authorized, inventory levels for both the bundle product and its constituent items are updated accordingly.
Great news! The Single-BAP is compatible with Cash on Delivery (COD) as well. This means there's no need for the order to be paid, and it can be authorized for adjusting the inventory of items in the bundle.
For additional information on inventory management, please refer to our guide "How Does the Inventory of the BAP Work?"
3. Discount Application
Show the bundle as a single product (Single-BAP)
The discount is incorporated into the price of the product as the difference between the final price and the compare-at price. (That's why a discount code is not created when this product is added to the cart.)
Show the bundle as included products (Multi-BAP)
Discounts for Multi-BAP bundles are distributed across the individual items within the bundle, with each item reflecting its respective discount. This approach ensures that customers see the discounted price of each bundled item in the cart.
4. Sales Channels
Show the bundle as a single product (Single-BAP)
Since the Single-BAP is a product on Shopify, you can easily add it to almost all your sales channels just like any other product. Handling the variants within the bundle should generally be smooth. However, if you encounter any issues, please reach out to our support team, and we'll provide assistance promptly.
Show the bundle as included products (Multi-BAP)
As a dummy product, the only available sales channel for the Multi-BAP is the online sales channel and other sales channels will be unavailable.
Summary
| Single-BAP | Multi-BAP |
Added as a Single product | Products in the bundle are added as line items | |
A single Shopify product is created for which inventory is tracked. | A placeholder (dummy) product is created that should never be purchased itself. | |
When purchased, the inventory of the bundle product is decreased, as well as the items in the bundle. See more. | The inventory of the items in the bundle is adjusted. The inventory of the bundle product is not tracked. See more. | |
Can add to almost all sales channels. | Can only be added to the online sales channel. | |
No discount code is generated. Instead, the product will be on sale. | A discount code is generated and applied to items in the bundle. | |
SKU | An initial SKU is given to the bundle product's variants. You can change this in the Shopify panel. But it's best to do this when your changes to the bundle are finalized to avoid the SKU changing back. See more. | An initial SKU is given to the bundle product. You should not change this as it belongs to a dummy product and will bounce back if you try to. |