Multi-location stock transfers
Move stock between locations, statuses, partial receipt, transfer number
Multi-location stock transfers
With multiple salon locations, you'll often need to move products from one to another. Stock Transfer does this in an audited way.
Where to find it
Inventory → Stock Transfers tab. Or /manager/inventory/stock-transfers.
Create a new transfer
Steps
- + New Transfer button
- Source location (from)
- Destination location (to) – must be different
- Add items: product + quantity + reason
- Notes (optional, e.g., "Customer request" or "Location 2 low stock")
- Save → PENDING status
Transfer number
Auto, format: ST-2026-00001.
Lifecycle
PENDING
Transfer recorded but not physically moved yet.
IN_TRANSIT
Physically left Source. Source stock already deducted (TRANSFER_OUT).
RECEIVED
Recorded at Destination as arrived. Stock + quantity (TRANSFER_IN).
CANCELLED
Revoked. If PENDING, no stock effect. If IN_TRANSIT, manually return to Source (Adjustment).
Partial receipt
Transfers rarely arrive complete. Receive items:
- Open transfer
- Per-item enter actual received quantity
- Remainder stays "Pending"
- Source had full quantity deducted, Destination receives only confirmed amount
The remainder (difference) is gone, likely loss. Handle with manual Adjustment on Source.
What each location sees
Source
- TRANSFER_OUT movement (negative)
- Stock decreases immediately (PENDING or IN_TRANSIT)
Destination
- TRANSFER_IN movement (positive)
- Stock increases only on RECEIVED
Time gap
Between PENDING and RECEIVED, stock is "in transit." Counted at neither location, can cause conflicts (Destination POS doesn't have it but physically does).
When to use it
Scenario 1, low stock compensation Location 2 ran out of shampoo, Location 1 has it. Transfer 5 shampoos L1 → L2. Reason: "L2 stock shortage."
Scenario 2, new product trial Want to test a new dye color only at Location 1. Transfer 3 boxes L2 → L1 for trial.
Scenario 3, location closure One location temporarily closes (renovation). Transfer its stock to other locations, don't let it sit unused.
Scenario 4, customer request Customer at L1, special product only at L2. Quick transfer 1 unit, or send customer to L2.
Scenario 5, warehouse consolidation Salon group has a central warehouse. Weekly transfer from each location to central (or vice versa). Audit-trail in transfer form, not via adjustment.
Tips
- Source stock decreases immediately, even if not physically moved yet. Audit purpose.
- Partial receipt signals loss: sent 5, received 4, the 1 is lost or to be found.
- CANCELLED doesn't auto-reverse stock, manual Adjustment needed if you really want to restore.
- Transfer notes help colleague, "Urgent, L2 needs today" beats just items.
- Multi-location stock balance with weekly review: where does stock pile up, where does it run out. Transfer to compensate.
- Organize physical shipping yourself: Bookinda only does the books, not the courier.