Requirements and considerations for using the Shopify Collective sales channel

Before you start using the Shopify Collective sales channel, review the following requirements and considerations. You should also refer to Understanding the Collective Community Guidelines.

Requirements for using the Shopify Collective sales channel

To use the Shopify Collective sales channel in your Shopify admin, your store must meet the following requirements:

You need to meet all the requirements to be able to use all the features of Shopify Collective. If your store doesn't meet all the requirements, then a banner displays in your sales channel's Overview page saying Your store isn't eligible to sell from Collective. Click Check requirements to view a list of the requirements to sell from Collective, and which ones you need to fulfill to become eligible. Banners also display in other parts of the sales channel saying that certain features are unavailable, and that you can take certain actions only after meeting the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility states in the Shopify Collective sales channel

If you install the Shopify Collective sales channel for the first time, and a message displays saying that you're ineligible to use Shopify Collective, then you can't connect with other merchants until your store meets the eligibility requirements.

If you're an existing supplier with Shopify Collective, and your store becomes ineligible through a recurring eligibility check, then you can't connect with new retailers or set any of your price lists to active status. You can review any existing orders or payments with your retailers.

Review the table for details of the key actions that you can or can't take in the Shopify Collective sales channel when your store is eligible or ineligible.

List of features in the Shopify Collective sales channel and which ones can be used by eligible or ineligible stores
Sales channel sectionSales channel feature or actionEligible to use Shopify CollectiveIneligible to use Shopify Collective
OverviewComplete tasks in the sales channel onboarding checklist
OverviewView new connection invitations
OverviewComplete tasks in the Get your first connections checklist
SettingsActivate and configure the Discovery feature
SettingsSet up a Referral page
RetailersView existing connections
RetailersInvite retailer
Price listsCreate price list
Price listsEdit price list
Price listsSet price list to active
Existing retailer connection pageAdd price list
Existing retailer connection pageEdit price list
Existing retailer connection pageSet price list to active
Existing retailer connection pageView retailer's contact details
Received invitationView retailer's contact details
Received invitationAccept invite

Ineligible retailers

You might find that a retailer you're working with becomes ineligible to use Shopify Collective. The retailer is informed about the steps that they need to take to become eligible again. Review the following list of what happens during this time:

  • You receive an email notifying you that one of your retailers is currently ineligible to use Shopify Collective.
  • You don't receive any new orders from the retailer's customers during the time that they're ineligible.
  • You should review any unfulfilled orders or pending payments with the relevant retailer.
  • If and when the retailer becomes eligible to use Shopify Collective again, then you receive another email, and you can continue to fulfill new orders from the retailer's customers and process payments.

Considerations for using the Shopify Collective sales channel

Before you start using the Shopify Collective sales channel, review the following considerations:

Incompatible apps and features with the Shopify Collective sales channel

The Shopify Collective sales channel can't be used with the following features and apps:

Compatible apps and features with the Shopify Collective sales channel

The Shopify Collective channel is compatible with most apps and features including the following:

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