What Is the Inventory by Location Report?
The Inventory by Location report in Data Export shows how product inventory is distributed across your Shopify locations. It brings location names, product and variant details, SKUs, inventory quantity, inventory value, and inventory cost into one export.
Each product variant appears as a separate row for every location. This lets you compare the same variant across stores or warehouses instead of relying on a combined quantity that hides where the units are held.
Use the report to prepare location stock checks, identify quantity differences, and review where inventory value and cost are concentrated. Review it alongside demand and transfer requirements before deciding what to reorder or move.
Report Overview
- Report type and basis
- Inventory Reports; variant inventory broken down by location. Confirm the reporting date settings before relying on a dated balance.
- Data included
- Seven fields covering location, product, variant, SKU, quantity, inventory value, and inventory cost.
- Best for
- Location stock reviews, count preparation, and stock allocation discussions.
- Export formats
- Excel, CSV, TXT, and PDF.
- Automation
- Schedule email delivery daily, weekly, or monthly for recurring team reviews.
What Can You Learn from Inventory by Location?
1. Where the same variant has uneven stock
Compare a SKU across locations to find quantity differences that deserve a closer look. A higher quantity alone does not prove excess stock.
Example: A hypothetical medium T-shirt has 4 units in Store A and 36 in Warehouse B.
What you can do: Review local demand and transfer options before placing another supplier order.
2. Which variants need a location stock check
Review low quantities at the variant level so a product total does not hide a shortage in one size or color.
Example: A hypothetical shoe style has 20 units at a store, but only 1 in size 8.
What you can do: Check the size 8 balance and replenishment needs separately.
3. Where inventory amounts are concentrated
Use the value and cost fields to identify location and variant rows that warrant closer financial review. Confirm the amount definitions before comparing totals.
Example: A hypothetical premium appliance variant has a larger reported inventory cost at one warehouse than the others.
What you can do: Verify the underlying quantities and cost basis before sharing a location summary.
What Should You Check First in This Report?
Start with the row identifiers, then review the stock figures and amount definitions.
Location coverage: Check that the export contains the locations you intend to review before comparing their balances.
Variant and SKU identity: Use Location Name with SKU and Variant Title to match the correct stock record.
Inventory quantity: Sort quantities to bring low balances to the top, then assess them against demand and replenishment needs.
Value and cost basis: Confirm how each amount is calculated and how missing costs are handled before adding or comparing amounts.
When Should You Use This Report?
| When to Use It | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Checking stock at a selected location | Review the variants and quantities reported at the selected location. |
| Preparing a location-specific stock count | Prepare a location-specific list of SKUs and variants for a stock count. |
| Reviewing replenishment or transfer needs | Compare the same variant across locations before reviewing replenishment or transfer needs. |
| Checking inventory cost and value by location | Review the reported inventory value and cost by location after confirming the calculation basis. |
How to Create This Report in Data Export
Start with the premade Inventory by Location report so the seven supplied columns are already included.
- Open Data Export and find Inventory by Location in the premade reports.
- Open the report and review the location, product, variant, SKU, quantity, value, and cost columns.
- Apply available location or item filters for your review. Check any reporting date settings and confirm the value and cost definitions.
- Save the report, generate it, and download your preferred supported format.
- Optionally schedule daily, weekly, or monthly email delivery to the people responsible for checking stock.
Make the Most of This Report
Use these checks to keep location exports consistent and easy to compare.
01 / MATCH THE ROW
Use location and SKU together when matching rows. A SKU can appear at several locations, so repeated SKUs are expected.
02 / REVIEW THE SCOPE
Keep a full-location export for allocation reviews. A filtered file may omit stock that could be available elsewhere.
03 / LABEL THE EXPORT
Record the generation time and selected settings when saving a file. Compare exports only after checking their scope and reporting basis.
04 / CHOOSE THE FORMAT
Use Excel or CSV for sorting and count preparation. Use PDF when sharing a fixed copy for review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the same SKU appear more than once?
The report uses a separate row for each variant at each location. Compare Location Name alongside SKU to distinguish the records.
Can I review inventory for one location?
Yes. Use the available location filter to focus the report, then confirm the exported rows contain the location you selected.
Does this report show sales or stock movements?
The supplied columns describe inventory by location. They do not include sales quantities, transfer history, or stock movement dates.
How are Inventory Value and Inventory Cost calculated?
Confirm the calculation basis for Inventory Value and Inventory Cost in your report configuration or with Data Export support before using them for financial totals.
Can I export the report and email it automatically?
Yes. Download Excel, CSV, TXT, or PDF, or schedule daily, weekly, or monthly email delivery for recurring reviews.
