# Bottle shop step 2: bottles, cases and packs

> Sell wine and spirits by the bottle or case with sub-units, and beer as singles, 4-packs, 12-packs and cases with variations and their own prices.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/step-2-bottles-cases-and-packs/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

A bottle shop sells the same drink in different sizes: one bottle or a case of six, a single can or a 12-pack. SmartPOS Hub has two tools for this, **sub-units** and **variations**. This page shows when to use each.

## Before you start

- **Enable Sub Units** is on ([step 1](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/step-1-settings-and-locations/)).

## Wine and spirits: bottle and case sub-units

1. Open **Products › Units**. Add **Bottle** (short name btl, **Allow decimal** No).
2. Add **Case (6)**: tick **Add as multiple of other unit**, enter **6** **times base unit**, base unit **Bottle**. Do the same for **Case (12)**.
3. On each wine, set **Unit** to **Bottle** and **Related Sub Units** to the case sizes it comes in.
4. Enter prices for one bottle.

![Units list with Bottle, Case (12) of 12 bottles, Case (6) of 6 bottles, Pack, Pieces, Service and Ticket](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/units.Da4ckv8Z.png) (web app page: `/units`)
*Products › Units in a bottle shop.*

At the till the line shows a unit dropdown; choose **Case (6)** and stock goes down by six bottles.

![POS line for Albariño with Case (6) selected and a Lot & Expiry selector](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/pos-sell-by-case.CuUwjGh7.png) (web app page: `/pos/create`)
*Selling a case. The price follows the six bottles, minus any active discount.*

## Beer: one variation per pack

1. Open **Products › Add Product**, choose **Product Type** **Variable**.
2. Add a variation **Pack** with values **Single**, **4-Pack**, **12-Pack**, **Case (24)**.
3. Give each its own SKU (the pack barcode), purchase price and selling price.
4. Save, then add opening stock per variation.

Tapping the beer in POS V2 opens a window with each pack and its price; scanning a pack barcode adds that pack directly.

![POS V2 window for American Lager 12 oz with Pack 12-Pack at 15.99 and Pack Case (24) at 27.99, each with stock](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/pos-v2-pack-options.C6iYiqYQ.png) (web app page: `/pos-v2/create`)
*A beer with two packs, each with its own price and stock.*

## Tips and mistakes to avoid

- Don't mix the two methods on one product. Pick sub-units or variations per product.
- Put the size in the name ("12 oz", "750 ml", "1.75 L"); cashiers search by it.
- Print shelf labels with **Products › Print Labels**, choosing the variation or unit price to show.

Next: [step 3: age-restricted sales](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/bottle-shop/step-3-age-restricted-sales/).

  - [Categories, brands and units](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/categories-brands-units/)
  - [Variable products](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/variable-products/)
  - [Barcodes and labels](https://docs.smartposhub.com/catalog/barcodes-and-labels/)

## Frequently asked questions

### When should I use sub-units and when variations?

Use sub-units (Bottle and Case (6)) when the case price is simply bottles × price and stock is shared. Use variations (Single, 4-Pack, Case (24)) when each pack has its own barcode and price, as with most beer.

### Can a case be cheaper than six bottles?

With sub-units the case price is 6 × the bottle price; give a case discount with Sell › Discounts or a price group. With variations, enter the cheaper case price directly.

### Do variations share stock?

No. Each variation has its own stock. If you break a case into singles, record it with a stock adjustment on the case and opening stock or a purchase on the singles, or sell singles and cases from separate stock.

### Which unit should wine use?

Bottle as the base unit, Case (6) and Case (12) as sub-units. Stock and stock reports are in bottles.

### Can I scan the case barcode?

With variations, yes, each pack has its own barcode. With sub-units the product has one barcode; the cashier changes the unit to Case on the line.