{"section":"tutorials","requestedLocale":"en","requestedSlug":"catalog-overview","locale":"en","slug":"catalog-overview","path":"docs/en/tutorials/catalog/catalog-overview/catalog-overview.md","branch":"main","content":"![Catalog overview (header)](https://cdn.statically.io/gh/vtexdocs/help-center-content/refs/heads/main/docs/en/tutorials/catalog/catalog-overview/catalog-overview_1.jpg)\n\n**Catalog** is the VTEX Admin module for configuring the features related to your ecommerce products. To make products available for customers on your website, you need to add them to this module.\n\nIn this article, you will find an overview of the catalog items and its features.\n\n## Categories\n\nCategory is the second categorization level of your store, under [Departments](/en/docs/tutorials/what-is-a-department) — sections or sectors that categorize the areas of your business. Categories are essential for classifying your products.\n\nThe **Categories** page allows you to view and manage your store's category trees, as illustrated below.\n\n![Catalog structure](https://cdn.statically.io/gh/vtexdocs/help-center-content/refs/heads/main/docs/en/tutorials/catalog/catalog-overview/catalog-overview_2.png)\n\nLearn how to add a category in the tutorial [Registering a category](/en/docs/tutorials/registering-a-category). If you want to change or disable a category, follow the steps in the tutorial [Deactivating and reorganizing categories](/en/docs/tutorials/deactivating-and-reorganizing-categories).\n\nIn the Categories module, there are [Subcategories](/en/docs/tutorials/what-is-a-subcategory), the third level of your store's categorization. They help users quickly find the products they are looking for.\n\n[Similar categories](/en/docs/tutorials/setting-up-similar-categories) allow a product to be in more than one category, and [Global categories](/en/docs/tutorials/setting-up-similar-categories) are used for external integrations, for example, with marketplaces or other sales channels.\n\n## Brands\n\nBrand is a required field when adding a product, so you cannot save a product without defining it. On the VTEX platform, there is a specific section to add the brands of the products available in your store.\n\nOnce a product is associated with a brand, customers will use this attribute as a filter in your store. It is quite common for customers to search for products using the brand as a keyword.\n\nYou have to add brands independently. When adding a product, you must associate it with one of the brands you have already included in your store.\n\nLearn how to add a brand in the tutorial [How to register brands](/en/docs/tutorials/registering-brands).\n\n## Products and SKUs\n\nA product is the most generic definition of something available for sale in your store, such as \"shirt\". SKUs are variations of this product, such as colors and sizes. It is possible to have the same shirt (product) in sizes S, M, or L, i.e., with different specifications.\n\nThe combination of product specifications composes a SKU, for example, a shirt in size S. A product must have at least one SKU.\n\nThe [Products and SKUs](/en/docs/tutorials/products-and-skus) section in the VTEX Admin allows you to manage products and SKUs. Check out the tutorials [Adding or editing products](/en/docs/tutorials/adding-or-editing-products), and [Adding or editing SKUs](/en/docs/tutorials/adding-or-editing-skus).\n\n## Specifications\n\nSpecifications are additional properties that can be added to your store's products or SKUs. On the VTEX platform, these specifications are defined in the Categories section.\n\nProduct specifications can be used to create filters for website navigation or to display additional information on the product page.\n\nThe SKU specification determines the website navigation filters and differentiates SKUs on the product page.\n\nTo add a specification, check out the tutorials [Adding product specifications or fields](/en/docs/tutorials/adding-specifications-or-product-fields), and [Creating a specification group in a category](/en/docs/tutorials/creating-a-specification-group-in-a-category).\n\n## Import and export\n\nThis feature allows you to import [images](/en/docs/tutorials/importing-images-from-a-spreadsheet), [products](/en/docs/tutorials/how-to-export-a-product-spreadsheet), [SKUs](/en/docs/tutorials/exporting-and-importing-product-and-sku-specifications), Brands, and [inventory spreadsheets](/en/docs/tutorials/importing-and-exporting-an-inventory-spreadsheet) into your store, making it easy to populate fields in bulk.\n\nTo understand how to use this feature, check out the article [Filling in the product and SKU import spreadsheet](/en/docs/tutorials/filling-in-fields-in-the-import-spreadsheet).\n\n## List types\n\nLists are groups of products you can offer your customers in your store. It is possible to create various types of lists, especially related to events, such as weddings, baby showers, birthdays, or any other occasion that addresses your customer needs.\n\nIn this section, you can configure the lists available on your website. Learn how to create a list in the tutorial [Creating a list type](/en/docs/tutorials/creating-a-type-of-list).\n\n## Attachments\n\nAttachments are optional customizations for complementing products with a particular specification. They can be purchased with a service or item, and may or may not have an additional cost.\n\nTo add an attachment, follow the steps in the tutorial [Adding an attachment](/en/docs/tutorials/adding-an-attachment). For complex scenarios, you can set up [Assembly Options](/en/docs/tutorials/assembly-options).\n\n## XML integration\n\nXML is a markup language that facilitates communication between computers and applications. Its main feature is the hierarchically organized structure for creating texts and databases.\n\nOn the VTEX platform, the XML configuration feature combines different standards. This enables other databases to read the structures created by the VTEX database.\n\nTo configure XML files, follow the steps in the tutorial [Configuring XML](/en/docs/tutorials/configuring-xml).\n\n## Reports\n\nYou can get reports about transactions and changes in your store. These are the types of reports available:\n\n- [Security](/en/docs/tutorials/understanding-the-security-report)\n- [Index](/en/docs/tutorials/how-to-use-the-index-report)\n- Gift list\n- Inventory shortage\n- Newsletter\n- [Reviews](/en/docs/tutorials/accessing-product-reviews)\n- Downloads\n\n## Commercial conditions\n\nCommercial conditions are used to group SKUs and, based on that, offer different payment conditions. Example: allowing your customers to pay in 12 installments with credit card, but only for electronics.\nTo define a commercial condition, follow the tutorial [Registering a commercial condition](/en/docs/tutorials/registering-a-commercial-condition).\n\n## Suppliers\n\nThis feature allows you to add suppliers to your store or marketplace. To add a supplier, please follow the steps below:\n\n1. In the VTEX Admin, access **Catalog** > **Suppliers**.\n2. Click `New Provider`.\n3. Fill in the following fields.\n   - **Name:** Name of the supplier. This is a required field.\n   - **Company name:** Enter the supplier's company name.\n   - **State Registration:** Enter the supplier's registration ID in a given state.\n   - **FEIN:** Enter the supplier's Tax Identification Number.\n4. Fill in the supplier's contact information.\n5. Click `Save`.\n\n## Collections\n\nA collection is composed of two or more SKUs that may or may not have common features to be displayed on your store's product pages.\n\nYou can create collections using grouping criteria such as commemorative dates, launches, or best-selling products.\n\nFor example, you can create a page for Valentine's Day with recommended gifts for the occasion, creating a \"gift\" collection.\n\nTo create a collection, follow the in [Creating Collections](/en/docs/tutorials/creating-collections-beta)."}