Shopify Multi-Location Inventory: Setup, Order Routing and Limits
Direct answer: Shopify natively supports multiple inventory locations. On Basic, Grow and Advanced, the current limit is 10 active locations. Adding locations does not mean every order will automatically route the way you expect: inventory, fulfillment and order-routing rules need to be configured and then tested with real carts.
What counts as a location
A location can represent a store, warehouse or another place where inventory is stocked or orders are fulfilled. Shopify lets you add, deactivate and manage locations from Settings → Locations. Some fulfillment services and apps can also appear as locations without counting toward the store's active-location limit in the same way as merchant locations.
Inventory by location
After locations are created, product quantities are assigned to the locations that actually stock them. The important point is maintaining a clear source of truth: if an ERP, 3PL or another system updates inventory, you need to define who writes which quantity and how delays, failures and reconciliation are handled.
Order routing
Shopify uses order-routing rules to decide which location should fulfill an order. Routing can consider inventory availability, destination and proximity, and the supported rules can be configured for the store.
I therefore do not describe the system as a simple fixed list of “warehouse A, then B”. I first inspect the routing strategy configured on the actual store.
Orders split across multiple locations
When no single location can fulfill the whole order, Shopify can split fulfillment across locations. The effect on rates and delivery depends on shipping settings, routing rules and checkout configuration. I always test at least one cart containing products stocked in different locations before go-live.
Shipping profiles
Shipping profiles define which products follow specific shipping rates and zones. I do not create separate profiles just because several warehouses exist: I use them when product shipping behavior or pricing is genuinely different.
In-store pickup
Shopify supports pickup in store for eligible locations. Customers can select a pickup location at checkout when the requirements are met. Availability and preparation times shown to customers depend on inventory and location configuration.
Local delivery
Where available for the merchant configuration, local delivery is distinct from standard shipping. It should be designed around the area actually served, operational capacity and rules the business can sustain, without promising delivery times that do not depend only on Shopify.
Tests I run
- product available at one location only;
- product available at multiple locations;
- cart with items distributed across different locations;
- order quantity greater than the inventory at one location;
- in-store pickup when enabled;
- inventory updates from any ERP or 3PL;
- shipping-rate and notification checks through the real flow.
My scope
I’m Francesco Guiducci, a freelance Shopify specialist and Shopify app developer. I work on Basic, Grow and Advanced and design multi-location setups around the actual inventory model, routing rules and integrations.
Sources: location setup and order routing.
Updated September 3, 2026.
