E-commerce
March 12, 2025
Are you a manufacturer or wholesaler and want to sell your products through a network of retailers without managing hundreds of manual partnerships? Shopify Collective allows suppliers to make their products available to Shopify merchants, set their margins, and ship directly to customers. Here's how to get started.
Summary
What is Shopify Collective for suppliers?
Shopify Collective is a platform that connects suppliers and retailers. As a supplier, you make your products available to Shopify merchants, keep control over what you share and at what prices, and ship directly to end customers. Orders and payments are managed in your Shopify admin. According to Shopify (2025), B2B GMV grew by 96% in 2025, demonstrating the potential of collaborative commerce. For an overview, see our article Shopify Collective: sell collaboratively without inventory.
Requirements and prerequisites
Check the supplier requirements at shopify.com/collective/supplier-requirements. You must be an established Shopify merchant with a sales history. Shared products must comply with Collective policies (quality, compliance, no prohibited products). Make sure your inventory management is reliable: retailers display your levels in real time.
Channel installation
Two options: 1) Download the Shopify Collective: Supplier app from the Shopify App Store. 2) Accept an invitation from a retailer already using Collective. After installation: complete your brand profile (name, logo, description), check your payment settings (Shopify Payments required), and update your contact details and shipping addresses.
Connect with retailers
Invite your existing retailers or let new ones discover you and send you connection requests. Review the requests to find retailers whose customer base and values align with your products. You choose who you work with. For private listings, you approve each retailer. For public listings, any eligible retailer can request access.
Create and manage price lists
Types of lists
Private lists: specific retailers you approve. Ideal for trusted partners or exclusive agreements. Public lists: all eligible Collective retailers. Ideal for quickly expanding your distribution.
Setup
Use filters (product tags) to select the products to share. Set your margins and shipping rates. You can create multiple lists for different segments (by region, by retailer type). Prices may vary by list.
Process orders
As a supplier, you ship directly to the customer. Collective orders appear on your admin's Orders page, tagged “Shopify Collective” and the retailer's name. Before activating your listings, make sure you can handle the volume: picking, shipping, tracking. Orders are processed like your direct orders: same workflow, same analytics.
Metrics to track
To optimize your Collective business:
Sales by retailer: which partners are performing best?
Top-selling products: which items should be shared first?
Shipping times: are you meeting the announced deadlines?
Return rate: do Collective products generate more or fewer returns?
Best practices and mistakes to avoid
Best practices
Start with a private list with 2 or 3 trusted retailers to validate the process
Start by sharing your best-sellers: proven products, stable inventory
Clearly communicate your shipping times and return policies to retailers
Use consistent product labels to make selection in lists easier
Mistakes to avoid
Enabling a public list without testing: first validate with private retailers
Sharing out-of-stock products: check your inventory before adding products to a list
Ignoring connection requests: respond quickly to build relationships
Setting margins too low: include your shipping and handling costs
The advantages
Expand distribution without multiplying manual partnerships
Control over products, prices, and retailers
Centralized management in Shopify
Automatic payments via Shopify Payments
Exposure to new audiences without additional marketing effort
Complete with a chatbot
Le Collective expands your distribution; an AI chatbot like Qstomy helps retailers convert their visitors into buyers. It answers questions, recommends products, and improves the shopping experience in their store. A complementary solution for your retail partners. Discover the AI chatbot integration on Shopify and our chatbot guide for e-commerce.
Summary
In summary, becoming a Shopify Collective supplier: install the app or accept an invitation, complete your profile, connect with retailers, create price lists (private or public), and process orders from your admin. An easy way to expand your distribution.
FAQ
Who pays for shipping?
The retailer charges the customer. You set your shipping rates in the price lists. The retailer pays your supplier price (margin included); the difference is their commission.
Can I refuse a retailer?
Yes. For private lists, you approve each retailer. For public lists, you can set eligibility criteria and decline requests.
Are inventory levels synchronized?
Yes. Inventory levels update automatically. A sale through a retailer decreases your stock.
Who handles returns?
You, as the supplier. The customer returns the product to your address. Define a clear policy and communicate it to retailers.
How many retailers use Collective?
According to Salesso (2025), Shopify hosts 2.7 million active stores. The Collective network allows suppliers to reach new merchants without manual outreach.
Read more
March 12, 2025
