Populating a John Lewis Product Template

Points to keep in mind:

• Red attribute columns – Mandatory 

• Yellow attribute columns – Highly recommended (not always relevant for category type)

• Grey attribute columns – Not relevant for category type

• White attribute columns – populate as many as are relevant 

Some attribute columns are mandatory for certain category types but are not highlighted i.e.
Category - Scarf, Wrap Or Shawl: One of the following attributes are required to be populated - Dimension or UnpackagedDepthLength, UnpackagedHeight, UnpackagedWidth

Double Headers

This can be quite confusing, the second row is needed for our backend systems The top row is the easiest to understand for suppliers other than “size” attribute column on the second row, which is named as the name of the category this can be ignored and should just say “Size” as the second row.

Attribute Value Cells

When users click on a cell, it will display a short definition and the maximum character limit for that attribute to clarify what information is required.

Variant Group Code

This is mandatory for products that sit together on the same product page but is not highlighted. 

It is a unique code that links all product variants together (e.g., different colours or sizes of the same product). Each variation (such as colour or size) shares the same VGC, allowing Mirakl to group them as related products. For example, a blue and a red version of the same t-shirt would have the same VGC but different unique identifiers (like EAN, SKU Codes or Product Reference Numbers).

SKU Code – This is a unique code that can contain colour code and sizes

Product Reference Number – This is a code that would link all sizes within a colour

Mandatory Root Attributes

These attributes are included in every Category. Each Category will also have attributes that are specific to that Category. 

SKU Code

Seller's unique identifier for each SKU at Size level

Product Name

Full name of product, must be the same for all SKUs in a variant group. Maximum length: 50 characters

Variant Group Code 

The identifier for a group of variants at style level. This is required whenever product variants (i.e. colours or sizes) exist. 

Short Name

Short name required for JL legacy systems. Must be the same for all SKUs in a variant group. Maximum length: 20 characters.

Selling Text

Extra product information that is not captured by selling attributes, this could include supplier/brand written copy. Maximum length: 2,048 characters.

Product Reference Number

Supplier or internal product reference for product option at colour level. Maximum length: 20 characters.

Country Of Origin

The Country in which the product has been manufactured *Please select value from list of Countries available in the dropdown menu*

Product Composition

Material composition for internal use. If fabric, state the % mix. Maximum length: 80 characters.

Material Composition

This is a customer facing attribute to provide additional detail on the material composition of the product. This will be visible on the product display page. Maximum length: 999 characters.

Supplier Colour

The supplier's colour name. Maximum length: 20 characters.

Consumer Code

EAN Barcode. Can be either EAN-13, EAN-8 or UPC-A standard.

Brand / Sub Brand

The brand or sub brand for this product.

Standard Colour

The standard John Lewis colour used to provide colour filtering in the left-hand navigation of the website *Please select value from list of values available in the dropdown menu*

Dimension or Dimension Details or UnpackagedDepthLength UnpackagedHeight UnpackagedWidth

These are not always marked as mandatory but are mandatory for some categories or product types i.e. Jewellery, luggage and Bags,  Scarves, Wrap Or Shawls

Dimension, this is The combined dimensions (H x W x D) of the item once the item has been removed from packaging, please include unit of measure (cm)

Dimension Details, Use this only for additional size information not captured in the 'Dimension' attribute, such as the extendable items.

UnpackagedDepthLength UnpackagedHeight UnpackagedWidth

Individual measurements for product when removed from packaging (to two decimal places). NOTE: only enter the number, not the units.

Initial Retail Price

The initial retail price required for product setup. Note a price also needs to be entered again in the Offer.

Main Image

Public URL for image. Must be JPEG and minimum 1,000 by 1,000 pixels. Refer to John Lewis Ecomm Brand Guidelines 2025 for order sequence and requirements of images per category.

ProductType1

Please select value from list of values available in the dropdown menu, this is only mandatory when there are multiple values available. This feeds the website left hand nav

Washing Instructions (clothing)

Please provide washing instructions (NOT general care instructions) 

*Please select value from list of values available in the dropdown menu*

Size (clothing)

A unique size value is required for each SKU within a variant group.

*Please select value from list of values available in the dropdown menu*