1. A method comprising the steps of: creating a parent table that includes a column for storing collection items; creating a nested table for storing items that belong to said collection items, wherein the nested table logically resides in a column of the parent table, wherein the nested table is distinct and stored separate relative to the parent table; and partitioning the nested table to create a plurality of nested table partitions; wherein each partition of the plurality of nested table partitions is a distinct, separately stored structure within a database; wherein each partition of the plurality of nested table partitions corresponds to a subset of said items that belong to said collection items, wherein said subset is distinct relative to the other subsets stored in the other partitions of the plurality of nested table partitions; wherein the steps are performed on one or more computing devices.