Product Hierarchy
Product hierarchy provides a field-based categorization system for organizing your products for reporting, filtering, and analysis. Unlike dimensions (which vary within a product), hierarchy defines how products are categorized.What is Product Hierarchy?
Product hierarchy uses up to 5 independent classification fields to categorize your products. Each field can be activated with a custom label and populated with values. Common uses include:- Reporting — Aggregate data at different categorization levels
- Filtering — Find products by category on the SKU dashboard
- Organization — Logical grouping of products
- Analysis — Compare performance across categories
Example Fields
| Field | Custom Label | Example Values |
|---|---|---|
| Field 1 | Category | Apparel, Accessories, Footwear |
| Field 2 | Sub-Category | Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear |
| Field 3 | Product Line | T-Shirts, Dress Shirts, Polos |
| Field 4 | Brand | Premium, Standard, Basics |
| Field 5 | Season | Spring 2026, Summer 2026 |
Hierarchy vs. Collections vs. Dimensions
Understanding when to use each:| Feature | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hierarchy | Categorization for reporting | Category, Sub-Category |
| Collections | Group products with shared dimensions | ”T-Shirts” collection |
| Dimensions | Product variants | Size, Color |
Hierarchy fields are independent of each other. Each field has its own set of values, and a product can be assigned a value for any combination of active fields.
The Hierarchy Dashboard
Navigate to SKUs → Product Hierarchy to access the hierarchy dashboard.Dashboard Overview
The dashboard displays:| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Active Fields | Count of currently activated fields out of 5 total |
| Total Values | Combined count of values across all active fields |
| Hierarchy Fields Table | All 5 fields with their status, label, values, and actions |
Field Table Columns
Each row in the hierarchy fields table shows:- Field # — Field number (1–5)
- Status — Active or Inactive badge
- Custom Label — The label you’ve assigned (e.g., “Category”)
- Values — All values for the field shown as badges, with a + button to add more
- Actions — Dropdown menu with field management options
Configuring Hierarchy Fields
Tether supports up to 5 hierarchy fields. Each field starts as inactive and must be activated with a custom label before you can add values.Activating a Field
Enter a Custom Label
Provide a label for the field (e.g., “Category”, “Sub-Category”, “Brand”). Example placeholders shown: Category, Sub-Category, Brand.
Editing a Field Label
For active fields, click ⋯ → Edit Label to change the custom label.Deactivating a Field
Click ⋯ → Deactivate on an active field to deactivate it. Deactivated fields retain their configuration but are no longer shown in filters or assignment options.Managing Field Values
Open Value Management
Click ⋯ → Manage Values on an active field, or click the + button in the Values column
Add Values
Click Add Value, enter a value name, and click Add Value to confirm. Values are simple text labels (e.g., “Apparel”, “Tops”, “T-Shirts”).
Edit Values
Click directly on a value name in the table to edit it inline. Edited values show a blue “(edited)” indicator.
Remove Values
Click the trash icon to mark a value for deletion. Deleted values show with strikethrough text and can be restored before saving.
The “unassigned” value is a system value that cannot be edited or deleted.
Assigning Hierarchy to Products
Products can be assigned hierarchy values to categorize them within your organizational structure.Collection-Level Hierarchy
Each collection shows its assigned hierarchy values in the Hierarchy tab on the collection detail page. This tab displays:- Each active hierarchy field with its custom label
- The assigned value (or “Not set” if unassigned)
- The field level number
Hierarchy fields help organize your products for better reporting and management. Once configured, you can assign products to specific hierarchy values from the Product List page.
Using Hierarchy in Tether
Filtering by Hierarchy
Active hierarchy fields appear as filter groups on the SKU dashboard and other views. Each field’s values are shown with tri-state filtering support (include, exclude, or indifferent). An “(Unassigned)” option is also available for products without a value for that field.Demand Forecasting
In demand forecasting, hierarchy fields can be used to:- Group and filter forecasts by category
- Compare performance across hierarchy values
- Organize forecast views by product categorization
Hierarchy Design Best Practices
Start with Business Needs
Start with Business Needs
Choose field labels based on how you need to report and analyze:
- How does leadership want to see performance?
- What comparisons are meaningful?
- How is the business organized?
Activate Only What You Need
Activate Only What You Need
You don’t need to use all 5 fields:
- 2–4 active fields is common
- Each field adds a filter dimension to your views
- You can always activate more fields later
Use Clear, Mutually Exclusive Values
Use Clear, Mutually Exclusive Values
Each product should fit clearly into one value per field:
- Avoid overlapping categories
- “Active” vs “Casual” might overlap — be specific
Plan for Growth
Plan for Growth
Consider future product lines:
- Leave room for new values
- Don’t make labels too specific
- Values can be added or edited at any time
Align with External Systems
Align with External Systems
If you use hierarchy in other systems:
- Align naming where possible
- Map values for integrations
- Document any differences
Common Hierarchy Patterns
Fashion / Apparel
| Field | Label | Example Values |
|---|---|---|
| Field 1 | Gender | Men’s, Women’s, Unisex |
| Field 2 | Category | Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear |
| Field 3 | Sub-Category | T-Shirts, Blouses, Jeans |
| Field 4 | Style | Casual, Formal, Active |
Consumer Electronics
| Field | Label | Example Values |
|---|---|---|
| Field 1 | Division | Computing, Mobile, Audio |
| Field 2 | Category | Laptops, Tablets, Headphones |
| Field 3 | Product Family | MacBook, iPad, AirPods |
| Field 4 | Product Type | Pro, Air, Standard |
Food & Beverage
| Field | Label | Example Values |
|---|---|---|
| Field 1 | Category | Beverages, Snacks, Meals |
| Field 2 | Sub-Category | Coffee, Tea, Juice |
| Field 3 | Brand | Premium Roast, House Blend |
| Field 4 | Product Line | Single Origin, Decaf |
Home Goods
| Field | Label | Example Values |
|---|---|---|
| Field 1 | Room | Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchen |
| Field 2 | Category | Bedding, Furniture, Decor |
| Field 3 | Style | Modern, Classic, Rustic |
| Field 4 | Material | Cotton, Linen, Microfiber |
Managing Hierarchy Changes
Adding New Values
- Open the hierarchy dashboard
- Click ⋯ → Manage Values on the target field
- Click Add Value and enter the new value name
- Click Save Changes
Editing Values
- Open the Manage Values modal for the field
- Click directly on the value name to edit inline
- Modified values show a blue “(edited)” indicator
- Click Save Changes to apply
Removing Values
- Open the Manage Values modal for the field
- Click the trash icon on the value to mark it for deletion
- Deleted values show with strikethrough and can be restored before saving
- Click Save Changes to apply
Troubleshooting
Products Not Appearing in Hierarchy Filter
Possible causes:- Product doesn’t have hierarchy values assigned
- The hierarchy field is not activated
- Verify the hierarchy field is active on the dashboard
- Assign hierarchy values to products
- Use the “(Unassigned)” filter option to find products without values
Field Not Showing in Filters
Possible causes:- Field is not activated
- No values have been added
- Activate the field with a custom label
- Add at least one value to the field
Cannot Delete a System Value
Cause: The “unassigned” value is a system value Solution:- System values like “unassigned” cannot be edited or deleted
- They are automatically managed by the system
Next Steps
Collections
Organize products with collections
Dimensions
Set up product attributes
Demand Forecasting
Use hierarchy in forecast analysis
SKU Filtering
Filter products by hierarchy