What HikaShop can import on its own

HikaShop's import screen (Products → Import) reads a CSV file or data pasted into a text area. According to the HikaShop import documentation, it auto-detects comma, semicolon, tab and pipe separators, accepts multi-line descriptions in double quotes, and can update existing products matched by product_code. It does not read XML, so an XML supplier feed has to be converted or handled by an extension.

Step 1: Prepare the CSV header row

The first line holds column names, which are HikaShop's own database field names in English. A minimal supplier import looks like this:

product_code,product_name,price_value,product_quantity,categories
SUP-1001,Steel water bottle 750 ml,14.90,25,"2"
  • Use the supplier's item code as product_code. If you leave it out, HikaShop generates one from the name, which makes later updates unreliable.
  • Add price_currency_id with a code such as EUR if the file is not in your main currency.
  • Not sure of a column name? Import a file with only the header line; HikaShop lists the valid columns.

Step 2: Map supplier columns instead of renaming them

If your supplier's headers differ (sku, title, stock), you don't have to edit the file. When the columns do not match, HikaShop shows a mapping screen where you pair each supplier header with a HikaShop field. Set the file charset (UTF-8 is recommended) so Greek, accented or Cyrillic text survives.

Step 3: Images, categories and variants

  • Images: add an images column with file names separated by a secondary separator. The files must be in the upload folder set in System → Configuration → Files, or you can import image URLs and choose whether to store them locally.
  • Categories: use category IDs or namekeys in a categories column. Enable “Create automatically missing categories” with a parent_category column to build a tree.
  • Variants: create the characteristic (for example “size”) under Products → Characteristics first. Then list the main product before its variants and point each variant at it with product_parent_id.

Step 4: Update existing products safely

For a re-import, set “Update products information if the product_code already exists” to Yes. HikaShop then updates only the columns present in your file, so a CSV with just product_code, price_value and product_quantity becomes a quick price-and-stock update. On products with variants, check the “Keep other variants” option: “No” removes variants missing from the file.

Step 5: Schedule CSV updates with Products Cron Update

HikaShop Essential and Business include the HikaShop Products Cron Update plugin:

  1. Configure the HikaShop cron task.
  2. In Joomla's plugin manager, enable HikaShop Products Cron Update.
  3. Enter a local path or a URL to the supplier CSV; a URL is downloaded before each run.
  4. Map columns in the form sku:product_code;title:product_name;stock:product_quantity.
  5. Set the frequency in seconds (3600 for hourly). The real interval depends on how often your cron is triggered.

Leave “Delete products not in CSV” off until several runs have worked correctly. One truncated supplier file could otherwise unpublish or remove a large part of your catalog.

When the supplier only sends XML

You have three realistic choices:

  1. Convert XML to CSV with a spreadsheet or a small script, then use the steps above. That is fine for a one-off import, but you must repeat the conversion for every update.
  2. A general CSV/XML import extension for Joomla, such as RO CSVI, which HikaShop's documentation lists. These give you broad template control.
  3. A supplier-feed connector that reads the XML link directly and runs the schedule for you.

Using FeedPup for Joomla

FeedPup for Joomla (com_feedpup) is our connector for option 3. It reads a supplier XML feed link, or a CSV file you upload, and creates or updates simple products in HikaShop Business. You install the component and pair it through a code created in HikaShop Business under System → App Devices; no Joomla administrator password is sent. You review the field mapping before anything is written. A sync writes name, description, published state, price, stock and missing images.

Be aware of its limits before you try it. It needs Joomla 4.4, 5 or 6, PHP 8.1+ and HikaShop Business 6.6.0+ with the Connector API on public HTTPS. Version 1.0.1 imports simple products only: products with variants are skipped and reported, and an existing HikaShop product with the same SKU is left unchanged. The free test creates up to 100 unpublished drafts with no schedule. Starter adds daily sync and Growth syncs every 6 hours. The component is a free download from FeedPup for Joomla, with steps in the installation guide.

Moving between platforms? See importing supplier XML into WooCommerce or all FeedPup guides.