Manish runs a home appliance store on Shopify, managing 300+ SKUs. One day, he oversold a blender that was out of stock — again. The manual system was just not working. Frustrated, he decided to automate his inventory using smart tools and integrations. Within weeks, his stock synced in real-time, low-stock alerts went out automatically, and customer trust came back. Sound familiar?
If you’re struggling with stock mismatches, overselling, or wasting time updating quantities, this step-by-step guide to automated inventory for Shopify will help you set up a streamlined, error-free system for 2025 and beyond.
Step 1: Understand Your Inventory Challenges
- Are you manually updating stock after every order?
- Do you sell on multiple platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, or retail POS?
- Do you often miss low stock alerts?
- Do you rely on Excel to track reorders?
If your answer is “yes” to any of these, automation is the next step.
Step 2: Choose the Right Inventory App for Shopify
- Zoho Inventory: Best for Indian sellers needing GST compliance and multi-channel sync
- Stocky (by Shopify): Great for Shopify POS users with retail presence
- Trunk Inventory: For sellers offering bundles and selling across marketplaces
- Cin7 Core: For large catalogs with batch tracking and expiry management
Pick the one that fits your business model and region.
Step 3: Integrate Channels and Sync Stock
- Connect your Shopify store to the inventory app
- Add other platforms: Amazon, Flipkart, Etsy, etc.
- Set stock locations if you have multiple warehouses
- Test real-time sync by placing a dummy order
This ensures you won’t oversell or understock again.
Step 4: Set Stock Thresholds and Alerts
- Define a “low stock” level for each product
- Enable SMS or email alerts when levels drop
- Set auto-reorder suggestions (with your vendor contacts saved)
This keeps your top sellers always in stock.
Step 5: Automate Purchase Orders
- Create supplier profiles with GSTIN and rates
- Set rules to generate a PO when stock hits the reorder level
- Email the PO to suppliers automatically
- Track goods received and update inventory in one click
Say goodbye to forgotten reorders and stock delays.
Step 6: Automate Order Fulfillment Updates
- Integrate with shipping tools like Shiprocket or Delhivery
- Auto-update customers when their order is packed or shipped
- Inventory deducts as soon as the order is confirmed
Fewer calls like “Where is my order?” = more time for growth.
Step 7: Generate Inventory Reports
- View stock aging reports: know what’s not selling
- Track daily incoming and outgoing stock
- Download monthly stock valuation for accounting
Better visibility = better decisions.
Real-Life Example: Aarav’s Kidswear Brand
Aarav sells kidswear via Shopify and Flipkart. After automating inventory with Zoho Inventory, his team reduced errors by 85%, stockouts dropped to nearly zero, and he added 150 new SKUs confidently. Automation became his competitive edge.
Bonus Tips to Make Inventory Automation Work
- Train your team on the tool’s backend
- Do a weekly audit for safety
- Keep buffer stock for fast sellers
- Use barcoding if you have physical storage
Conclusion: Inventory Doesn’t Have to Be a Headache
With the right systems in place, inventory management on Shopify can be completely automated — from order to restock. This means fewer human errors, faster fulfillment, and more time for marketing and growth. As your brand scales, this automation becomes your invisible team member, always working in the background.
Need Help Automating Your Shopify Inventory?
Contact us at +919118911171 or WhatsApp us now for your free consultation. Let our team help you set up the perfect inventory automation system for your Shopify store!