Overview
Store Mode is a powerful feature that allows you to manage inventory in two separate locations: your Shop (selling floor) and your Store (warehouse/back room). This separation helps businesses that keep bulk stock in storage while displaying limited quantities for sale.
✅ Key Benefits:
- Separate tracking for display stock vs. bulk storage
- Transfer stock between locations as needed
- Better inventory control and organization
- Reduced theft and shrinkage
- Accurate reporting by location
What is Store Mode?
The Two-Location Concept
When Store Mode is enabled, your products have two inventory counts:
| Location |
Purpose |
Example |
| Shop |
Items on display, ready for sale |
10 pieces on shelf |
| Store |
Bulk stock in warehouse/back room |
90 pieces in storage |
How It Works
📦 Purchases → Choose destination → Shop or Store
💰 Sales → Only from → Shop
🔄 Transfers → Move between → Store ↔ Shop
Who Should Use Store Mode?
✅ Ideal For
- Retail shops with back-room storage
- Wholesalers with warehouse and showroom
- Supermarkets with storeroom and shelves
- Pharmacies with dispensary and stock room
- Hardware stores with display and bulk storage
- Electronics shops with showroom and stock room
❌ Not Needed For
- Small kiosks with all stock on display
- Service businesses (no physical inventory)
- Businesses with single storage location
- Mobile vendors
Store Mode vs. Normal Mode
📦 Normal Mode (Default)
All Stock → One Location
↓
Products Table
(unit_1, unit_2, unit_3)
- Single stock count per product
- All purchases add to same stock
- All sales deduct from same stock
- Simpler for small businesses
🏬 Store Mode (When Enabled)
Stock Split → Two Locations
↓ ↓
SHOP STORE
- Separate counts for Shop and Store
- Purchases can target either location
- Sales only from Shop
- Transfers move between locations
Key Terminology
| Term |
Meaning |
| Shop |
Selling floor, retail area, display location |
| Store |
Warehouse, back room, storage area |
| Transfer |
Moving stock between Shop and Store |
| Shop Stock |
Items ready for immediate sale |
| Store Stock |
Bulk items held in reserve |
Benefits of Store Mode
1. Better Inventory Control
Know exactly what's on display vs. in storage. Prevent overselling display items. Plan restocking from warehouse.
2. Reduced Shrinkage
Limited items on display reduce theft opportunity. Bulk stock secured in storage. Clear accountability per location.
3. Efficient Operations
Sales staff focus on display stock. Stock manager handles warehouse. Clear separation of duties.
4. Accurate Reporting
See stock levels by location. Track transfer history. Identify slow-moving items per location.
5. Flexible Purchasing
Bulk purchases go to Store. Small orders go directly to Shop. Better cash flow management.
What Changes When Store Mode is Enabled?
| Area |
What Changes |
| Stock Management |
Products show two stock columns (Shop / Store) |
| Purchases |
Destination dialog appears (choose Shop or Store) |
| Sales |
Works from Shop stock only |
| Reports |
Stock reports can filter by location |
| New Features |
Stock Transfer interface, Transfer reports |
Before You Enable Store Mode
⚠️ Recommended Preparation:
- Audit Current Stock - Do a physical count first. Note what's on display vs. storage.
- Plan Your Split - Decide how to divide current stock. Typically: all current stock → Shop.
- Train Staff - Explain the two-location concept. Show how transfers work.
- Test First - Enable on a few products. Make test transfers. Verify reports work correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enable Store Mode after I've been using the system?
Yes. When you enable Store Mode, existing stock stays in the Shop location. Store starts empty. You can then transfer items to Store as needed.
What if I only have one physical location?
You can still use Store Mode to separate "display stock" from "reserve stock" even in the same room. Think of it as "front of store" vs. "back shelf."
Can I sell from Store stock?
No. Sales only deduct from Shop. You must first transfer items from Store to Shop before selling. This is by design for better control.
Can I disable Store Mode later?
Yes, but consider the implications. Stock in both locations will need to be reconciled. It's best to transfer all Store stock to Shop first.
Ready to Enable Store Mode?
Continue to the next section to learn how to activate this feature.
Enabling Store Mode