Foundation · 2 min
What you need to know
What is a multi-location inventory?
Multi-location inventory means stock is kept at more than one place, such as a warehouse and a retail location. Track the quantity available for online orders at each location separately, not just the store-wide total.
How should orders be assigned to inventory locations?
Choose a location with available stock that can meet the delivery promise and handle the product. Compare carrier costs and daily cutoff times. Record the chosen location on the shipment so the correct stock is reduced.
Should an order always ship from the closest location?
The nearest location is not always the quickest or most cost-effective. It may have missed its carrier pickup or lacked the correct variant. Compare actual eligibility, carrier service availability and packing capacity before routing solely by distance.
What happens when one location lacks enough inventory?
Look for another eligible location and confirm stock there before rerouting. If no single location can fulfil the order on time, contact the buyer about the available options. Keep reservations accurate, so two locations do not both promise the same stock.
Should orders be split across locations?
Split locations only when it genuinely helps fulfil the order, and the customer understands separate arrivals. Compare the cost of two shipping labels, the packing effort and partial-order support complexity. A single-location delivery may be simpler and cheaper.
How does fulfillment routing affect shipping cost?
Origin, parcel count, destination and carrier choices all affect cost. A nearby origin can lower transit distance, but a split across two sites adds a second label. Compare the total packed-order cost before changing routing rules.
Foundation · 2 min
Frequently asked questions
How does fulfillment routing affect delivery speed?
A closer location can shorten transit time but only if stock and the next carrier pickup are available. Check processing time plus transit time, not distance alone. A stocked distant site can beat a local site that cannot dispatch today.
How should physical-store inventory participate in online fulfillment?
A physical store can fulfil online purchases if its online-available stock, staff time and pickup or shipping process are reliable. Protect items already sold in-store from being promised again online. Test what happens when both channels sell the last item.