Updating SKUs for existing and future subscription orders

There may be instances where you need to update Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) on your storefront. This guide provides an overview of how SKUs work in Recharge, and how you can update SKUs for future and existing subscriptions.

Before you start

The options for updating SKUs for existing subscription orders in Recharge will differ based on the Recharge platform you are using on Shopify.

Shopify Checkout Integration

• If you are using the Shopify Checkout Integration, refer to Update SKUs for existing subscriptions - Shopify Checkout Integration.

Recharge Checkout on Shopify

• If you are using the Recharge Checkout on Shopify the following options are available:
  
  • • Regenerate SKUs
    • Bulk update SKUs and apply SKU overrides
    • Update SKUs for product listings
    • Use Workflows to automatically update SKUs between two orders
• For merchants using the Recharge Checkout on Shopify, some third-party fulfillment apps can malfunction if there are multiple products with the same SKU. You must remove the SKU from the hidden auto-renew products in Shopify.

Update SKUs on Shopify

1. In your Shopify Admin, click Products.
2. Search and select the product with the SKU you want to update.
3. On the product page:
   1. If the product does not have any variants, locate the Inventory section and add the new SKU in the SKU field.
   2. If the product has variants, locate the Variants section and add the new SKU(s) to the SKU field(s).
4. Click Save.

Update SKUs for existing subscriptions

By default, Recharge uses the SKU that exists on the product in Shopify. When an order is created, Recharge references the current SKU and populates the SKU in the order. If you update the product SKU on Shopify, your existing orders need to be regenerated.

• See instructions for the Shopify Checkout Integration.
• See instructions for the Recharge Checkout on Shopify.

Shopify Checkout Integration

Once the SKU(s) are updated on Shopify, the Recharge support team can perform a bulk update and regeneration to sync the updated SKU(s) within existing subscriptions:

1. Ensure that the SKU(s) are updated on Shopify.
2. In the Recharge Dashboard, click the wrench icon and select Exports.
3. Click Create export.
4. In the Select export type dropdown choose Charges - Queued.
5. Change your date range as necessary and enter your email address to receive the export. Click Create export.
6. Access the CSV file in your email and remove any subscription orders that should not receive the SKU update.
7. Send the finalized CSV to the Recharge support team with the subject line Regenerate SKU request for the Shopify Checkout Integration.

Recharge Checkout on Shopify

Method 1 - Regenerate SKUs

Once the SKU(s) are updated on Shopify, the Recharge support team can run a bulk update and regeneration to sync the updated SKU(s) within existing subscriptions, if you are using the Recharge Checkout on Shopify:

1. Ensure that the SKU(s) are updated on Shopify.
2. In the Recharge Dashboard, click the wrench icon and select Exports.
3. Click Access the old export page here.
4. Click Email report under the Upcoming Orders CSV. If you require prepaid shipment orders to be updated, you will also need a copy of the Upcoming Prepaid Orders CSV.
5. Enter your email address and change your date range as necessary. Click Send.
6. Access the CSV file in your email and remove any subscription orders that should not receive the SKU update.
7. Send the finalized CSV to the Recharge support team with the subject line Regenerate SKU request for the Recharge Checkout on Shopify.

Method 2 - Bulk update SKUs and apply SKU overrides

If you are using the Recharge Checkout on Shopify and have access to the Recharge Bulk Updater Tool, you can use this to apply a SKU override on existing subscriptions, meaning that Recharge will reference this applied SKU and ignore the SKU on the product in Shopify. This method is recommended if you do not want your subscription products in Recharge to have the same SKU as your Shopify products.

The Bulk Updater Tool is currently in open beta. Reach out to the Recharge support team if you want this enabled on your store.

Once you have the Bulk Updater Tool enabled in your store:

1. In the Recharge Dashboard, click Integrations and select the Enabled Integrations tab.
2. Click Recharge Bulk Updater.
3. In the Search for all products containing dropdown, select SKU.
4. Enter the SKU in the search filter field and click Find products.
5. In the pop-up, click Export data.
6. In the Property search field, enter the new SKU that will replace the current SKU.
7. Click Process Update.

Update SKUs for product listings

You can update the SKU on Shopify and then resync the product in the Recharge ruleset. This is done to ensure the product in Recharge has the same SKU as the Shopify product, as listed on your storefront.

1. In the Recharge Dashboard, click Products and select Rulesets.
2. Locate the ruleset containing the product and click the pencil icon.
3. Click the sync icon next to the product, or select Sync all products, if you want to sync all. 

Use Workflows to automatically update SKUs between two orders

You may want to change the SKU between the first order and the second order or change the SKU after a certain number of orders. This can be accomplished using a workflow. Follow these steps to enable Workflows by Recharge:

1. Select Integrations from the Recharge Dashboard.
2. Click the All integrations tab, locate Workflows by Recharge, and click Get.
3. Click Create your first workflow to build your desired workflow.

Refer to the following articles for more information on creating Workflows:

• Workflows by Recharge
• Workflows  FAQ
• Common use cases for Workflows

FAQs

Can I bulk update SKUs and apply SKU overrides?

A SKU override ignores the SKU on the product in Shopify and references what is set in Recharge.

If you are using the Recharge Checkout on Shopify and have access to the Recharge Bulk Updater Tool, you can use this to apply a SKU override on existing subscriptions. This method is recommended if you do not want your subscription products in Recharge to have the same SKU as your Shopify products.

Refer to Bulk update SKUs and apply SKU overrides for more information and instructions.