What Is the Sales by Variant Report?
The Sales by Variant report shows how individual Shopify product variants perform during a selected reporting period. Instead of viewing a product as a single result, you can compare its sizes, colors, styles or other variant options.
Each variant can be identified using its product title, variant title, SKU and barcode. The report brings together net quantity, gross sales, discounts, returns, net sales, shipping, tax, duties and total sales to help you review units sold and the sales amounts reported for each variant.
Use it to identify popular options, investigate variants with high return or discount amounts, and share a consistent variant-level sales view with your team.
Report Overview
- Report period
- Choose the period you want to review.
- Data included
- Variant identifiers, net quantity and sales-related amounts, including discounts and returns.
- Best for
- Comparing sizes, colors, styles and SKUs within or across products.
- Export formats
- Excel, CSV, TXT or PDF, as described in the supplied report guide.
- Automation
- Schedule delivery by email daily, weekly or monthly.
What Can You Learn from Variant-Level Sales?
1. Which options sell the most
Compare net quantity and total sales across variants of the same product to see which options contribute most to sales.
Example: A medium-size blue shirt has more net units sold than the other sizes.
What you can do: Use the comparison to inform which options deserve closer replenishment attention.
2. Where discounts change the result
Review gross sales alongside discounts and net sales to understand how promotions affect the reported sales value of specific variants.
Example: Two variants have similar gross sales, but one has a larger discount amount.
What you can do: Review promotional pricing for variants with consistently heavy discounts.
3. Which variants are affected by returns
The Returns field helps identify variants whose reported sales values are reduced by returns. Read it next to net quantity and net sales rather than relying only on gross sales.
Example: A particular shoe size has noticeably higher reported returns than neighboring sizes.
What you can do: Investigate sizing information or product expectations for that option.
4. How to reconcile options in a shared export
Use variant SKU, barcode and title together to recognize the right option when sharing data with purchasing or merchandising teams.
Example: A team distinguishes two similar black variants by their different SKUs.
What you can do: Keep identifiers in exported files to reduce mix-ups when reviewing variants.
What Should You Check First in This Report?
Start with measures that answer distinct questions about each variant:
- Net Quantity: Find the options with the strongest unit movement.
- Net Sales: See which variants contribute the most sales after the report’s adjustments.
- Discount and Returns: Identify variants where gross sales and net sales differ materially.
- Variant SKU and Barcode: Verify that options are correctly identified before taking action.
When Should You Use This Report?
| When to Use It | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Comparing weekly sales by product option | Compare sales performance of individual options rather than parent products alone. |
| Reviewing popular colors sizes or styles | Find popular colors, sizes or styles using net quantity and sales. |
| Preparing variant-level reorder decisions | Use sales movement as one input for reorder decisions; confirm current stock separately. |
| Checking promoted variants after a campaign | Review discounts and net sales for variants promoted during the selected period. |
| Investigating returns by variant | Spot variants with reported returns and investigate potential product issues. |
How to Create This Report in Data Export
Start with the ready-made Sales by Variant template in Data Export:
- Open Data Export and find the premade Sales by Variant report.
- Open the report and review its preset variant identifiers and sales columns.
- Choose your date range; adjust supported columns, sorting or filters if needed.
- Save the report, then export it as required.
- Optionally schedule email delivery daily, weekly or monthly to approved recipients.
Make the Most of This Report
Use these four checks to keep variant comparisons useful.
01 / COMPARE PERIODS
Compare equivalent periods: Use the same date range when comparing variants across promotions or seasonal cycles.
02 / KEEP IDENTIFIERS
Keep SKUs visible: Include variant title and SKU so options with similar names remain distinguishable.
03 / READ SALES CAREFULLY
Review the full sales picture: Read gross sales with discounts and returns; do not treat net sales as profit.
04 / SHARE A CONSISTENT VIEW
Standardize delivery: Schedule an agreed report for the team and check recipient access before sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sales by product and sales by variant?
Sales by product groups performance at the parent-product level. Sales by variant helps compare the specific sizes, colors or other options using variant identifiers.
Can I see the SKU and barcode for each variant?
Yes. Variant SKU and Barcode are included in the supplied premade report field list, alongside Product Title and Variant Title.
Does Net Quantity show how much stock is available?
No. Net Quantity describes sales movement in the report period, not current on-hand inventory. Check an inventory report before placing a reorder.
Can I identify variants with high returns?
Yes. Compare the Returns field alongside Gross Sales, Net Sales and Net Quantity to spot variants for further review.
Can I export or schedule this report?
The supplied guide lists Excel, CSV, TXT and PDF exports and scheduled email delivery daily, weekly or monthly. Available delivery configuration may vary.
