How to manage inventory and stock on Shopify
To manage inventory on Shopify, turn on quantity tracking for every product, add SKUs, set up locations for where stock is held, and decide whether to keep selling when items are out of stock. Use low-stock reports, back-in-stock alerts and regular stock counts to avoid overselling.
By Abdullah Ashraf, Shopify expert · Last updated: October 2026
Quick summary
- Track quantity on every product.
- Use locations for shop, warehouse or 3PL.
- Check low-stock reports weekly.
Track quantities
On each product, turn on quantity tracking and add a SKU. Decide whether to allow selling when out of stock, which suits pre-orders but can cause delays.
Locations
Add a location for each place stock is held, such as your home, shop or fulfilment centre. Shopify POS and fulfilment apps use locations to keep stock in sync.
Reports and alerts
Use inventory reports to spot low stock, and back-in-stock apps to capture demand.
Stock counts
Count stock regularly and adjust quantities in Shopify to keep records accurate.
Frequently asked questions
Can my shop and website share stock?
Yes. See how.
Should I sell when out of stock?
Only if you can deliver within the time you promise.
Let's grow your store
Tell me what you sell and where you're stuck. You'll get honest advice and a fixed quote, even if we don't end up working together.