Item Types

Overview

Item types define how products and related items are structured, presented, and managed within your catalog.
Each article type serves a specific business or operational purpose — from selling standalone products to managing assemblies, bundles, or promotional items.
Understanding these distinctions helps ensure proper after-sales processes and better self service experiences.

Article Types

Product

A standalone item available for individual purchase.
Used for standard goods, digital products, or services.
Supports full lifecycle operations, including inventory, pricing, and fulfillment.

Product Bundle

A predefined group of products sold together as one package.
Ideal for promotions or value-added offers (e.g., a phone + case + charger bundle).
Inventory is typically managed at the individual product level.

Product Set

A configurable collection where consumers can choose one or more products from predefined categories.
Useful for flexible offers such as “Build your own kit.”
The final configuration determines the total price and fulfillment details.

Assembly

Represents a finished product composed of multiple components.
The assembly structure defines dependencies between parts and can be used for build-to-order or manufacturing workflows.
Inventory and pricing can be managed at the assembly or component level.

Component

A sub-item used within an assembly.
Typically not sold separately but necessary for production, replacement, or repair.
Managed mainly for inventory and maintenance purposes.

Freebie

An item added automatically or optionally to a purchase at no additional cost.
Commonly used for promotions, giveaways, or limited-time campaigns.
Inventory management applies if the freebie is a physical product.

Voucher

A redeemable digital code or coupon used for discounts or payments.
Not a tangible product but a transactional item with specific rules for usage, validity, and redemption.

Comparison Table

The table below provides an overview of the different article types that can be managed within the returns.cloud. It highlights their key characteristics, such as whether they are usually sellable, configurable, or composed of components. Additionally, it outlines their potential promotional uses and the typical post-purchase actions that may apply.

By comparing these attributes, you can quickly identify which article type best fits your business scenario — whether you’re setting up standard products, product bundles, assemblies, or special promotional items like freebies and vouchers.