What Is the Inventory Cost Report
The Shopify Inventory Cost Report brings product prices, inventory costs, and inventory values into one view in Data Export. It includes product and variant names, SKUs, locations, collections, and product status so you can identify the items behind each reported amount.
Use it to review cost records, compare listed prices with recorded costs, and examine inventory value across locations. The supplied fields focus on cost and value; stock quantities, sales activity, and operating expenses are needed separately for replenishment or profit calculations.
Report Overview
- Data included
- Nine fields covering product identity, price, cost, value, location, collections, and status.
- Best for
- Routine cost checks and inventory value reviews by SKU or location.
- Report timing
- Review the report settings before treating an export as a current or historical valuation.
- Export formats
- Excel, CSV, TXT, and PDF.
- Automation
- Schedule email delivery daily, weekly, or monthly.
What Can You Learn from Inventory Costs and Values
1. Which cost records need attention
Review Inventory Cost alongside SKU and variant details to identify blank or unexpected entries. Check the source record before relying on those amounts.
Example: Hypothetically, one size of a jacket has a blank cost while the other sizes have recorded costs.
What you can do: Confirm that variant’s cost and regenerate the report.
2. Which prices need a closer review
Compare Product Price with Inventory Cost after confirming that the amounts use a comparable basis. The difference alone does not establish profit.
Example: Hypothetically, a mug’s listed price is close to its recorded unit cost.
What you can do: Review the price and include selling expenses in a separate margin calculation.
3. Where reported inventory value is concentrated
Use Inventory Value and Location to identify records that deserve closer attention in a location review. Product Status helps distinguish the products involved.
Example: Hypothetically, one warehouse holds a large reported value in inactive products.
What you can do: Check those products with the warehouse team before deciding how to handle them.
What Should You Check First in This Report
Start with these checks before sharing a cost summary.
Cost completeness: Investigate blank or unexpected Inventory Cost entries before relying on related values.
Value basis: Confirm how Inventory Value is calculated and whether rows can be added without duplication.
Product and location scope: Check SKU, variant, and Location together so you compare the intended records.
Product status: Review the statuses included so a summary does not hide inventory attached to inactive products.
When Should You Use This Report
| When to Use It | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Reviewing prices alongside recorded costs | Compare listed product prices with recorded inventory costs. |
| Checking inventory value by location | Examine reported inventory value for products at each location. |
| Investigating missing or unusual costs | Identify missing or unusual costs for follow-up before using the export. |
| Reviewing cost and value within collections | Group related products for a focused cost and value review. |
How to Create This Report in Data Export
Start with the premade Inventory Cost Report to use the supplied field selection.
- Open Data Export in your Shopify admin and find the premade Inventory Cost Report.
- Open the report and review the nine columns, especially Inventory Cost, Inventory Value, and Location.
- Apply available filters for the products, locations, or statuses you need. Review any date settings before using the results as a valuation.
- Save the report and export it in Excel, CSV, TXT, or PDF.
- Optionally schedule daily, weekly, or monthly email delivery to the people who need the review.
Make the Most of This Report
Use these tips to keep recurring cost reviews consistent.
01 / TIMING
Keep comparable exports Save each export with its generation date and use consistent settings when comparing separate reviews.
02 / COST BASIS
Check what cost means Confirm whether Inventory Cost is a unit or aggregated amount before comparing it with Product Price.
03 / COLLECTIONS
Avoid duplicate totals Check how products in multiple collections appear before summing Inventory Value across an export.
04 / SHARING
Share costs selectively Send scheduled exports only to recipients who need access to product costs and inventory values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Inventory Cost and Inventory Value
Inventory Cost records a cost amount; Inventory Value records a valuation amount for the row. Confirm the report’s cost basis and valuation formula before using either in calculations.
Does this report show profit
No. Product Price and Inventory Cost can support an initial price review, but this field list does not include sales revenue, fees, or other expenses needed to calculate profit.
Can I review costs by location
Yes. Location is included alongside product, variant, SKU, and cost fields. Use the available location filter to narrow your review.
Can I use it for a past month end valuation
Confirm the date behavior first. A selected date range alone does not establish that inventory costs and values represent a historical month end balance.
Can I export and schedule the report
Yes. Export it as Excel, CSV, TXT, or PDF, or schedule daily, weekly, or monthly email delivery after saving your report settings.
