Updated Shopify Collections: Multi-Source, Variants, and Setup

Shopify has introduced an updated Collections model that significantly expands catalog management capabilities. The new system allows for more flexible structures, combining different product sources and using collections as a full-fledged tool for eCommerce business growth.

For Shopify store owners, this means more automation opportunities, more precise assortment management, and more effective customer experience optimization.

Why the Standard Shopify Collections System Had Limitations

Before the update, Shopify collections were mainly created in two ways: manually or automatically.

Manual collections allowed store owners to independently select products to display on a category page. This approach worked well for small selections, promotional campaigns, or limited collections.

For example, a store could manually create a page: Summer Collection and add only specific products selected by the brand team.

However, with a large ассортимент, manual management became complex.

Automatic collections solved this problem using rules.

For example, you could create a collection that automatically included products based on certain conditions:

• Specific product type;
• Presence of a specific tag;
• Defined vendor;
• Price range.

This approach worked well for standard scenarios but had limitations. It was not possible to simultaneously use manual product selection, automatic conditions, existing collections, and additional data sources.

For large Shopify stores, this often meant the need to create workarounds:

• Duplicate collections;
• Use additional apps;
• Build a complex tagging system;
• Perform part of the work manually.

The new Shopify update changed this model and made Collections a more flexible catalog management tool.

Key Features of the Updated Collections

Multi-Source

In a single collection, you can now combine automatic conditions, manual product selection, exclusion lists, feeds from third-party apps, and other existing collections.

Variant-Level Collections

You can create collections based on specific variants (by color, size, or material). These variants are used in collection filters (showing only relevant options and prices) and can be applied in workflows such as discounts and taxes. Displaying each variant as a separate product card on the storefront requires theme or app support.

Nested Collections

Adding one collection as a source for another. Parent collections automatically sync when child collections are updated.

Use in Workflows

Apply the same collection in supported workflows such as discounts and taxes, including variant-level collections.

Redesigned Admin UI & Visual Grid

A new management interface with sorting via Visual Grid, Drag-and-Drop support, bulk movement, and Sidekick AI assistant integration.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Variant-Level Collection Setup

If your goal is to display specific product variants on the storefront (for example, “Red products for Valentine’s Day” or “Clothing in size XL”):

1. When selecting the source, choose Variants instead of the standard Products.
2. Set variant filtering criteria: by options (for example, Variant Title: XL)
3. Save the collection. The catalog will now display the selected variation with the relevant image and price linked to the product card.

Nested Collections (Collections as Building Blocks)

The new model allows you to use existing collections as sources to create larger combined categories (for example, building a global “Outerwear and Tops” collection without setting up tags):

• When creating a new collection, select Collections in the source block.
• Select the required child collections from the list (for example: Tops, Jackets, Long Sleeves).
• Click Add and save the settings.

The parent collection will automatically maintain an up-to-date product list: as soon as you add a new jacket to the Jackets collection or a long sleeve to Long Sleeves, it will instantly appear in the parent category.

Creating a Hybrid Collection (Multi-Source)

To create a new hybrid collection, open the Shopify admin panel and go to: Products → Collections → Add collection

After opening the collection creation page, specify the main parameters:

• Collection name;
• Description;
• Image (if needed).

Next, configure the product sources that will form the collection content. In the right part of the interface, select the first source:

Products

Here you can configure one of the product addition methods:

• Use automatic conditions (for example, add all products with a specific tag, product type, or price range);
• Add specific products manually.

After setting up the first source, you can add additional conditions or sources.

To do this, click the “+” button and select the next source:

• Collection;
• Products;
• Variants;
• App.

This way, one collection can combine multiple different sources and build a more complex catalog structure without the need to create duplicate collections.